Wales captain to quit as future of Welsh rugby hangs in balance

According to Midi Olympique, Lake’s CV has been shared with clubs across Europe as he enters the final year of his contract with the Ospreys.

Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.

The 26-year-old, who has made 67 appearances for the Welsh region since his debut in 2017, is expected to be in high demand if he becomes eligible for a move abroad.

Having earned 23 caps for Wales, Lake is just two appearances away from hitting the crucial 25-cap threshold that allows players to move outside Wales and still be selected for international duty.

Despite signing a fresh deal with the Ospreys earlier this year, Lake is seen as a prime target for overseas clubs – with his powerful carrying and set-piece dominance catching the eye.

Professional rugby players already lead uncertain lives, with injuries and form constantly impacting their career paths — but anxiety among players and staff in Wales has reached new heights following the WRU’s bombshell announcementthat it is considering reducing the number of professional clubs from four to three—or even two.

If those plans move forward, it would throw countless careers into doubt — and make proven international talent like Lake even more attractive to clubs abroad.

Given his current trajectory, it seems inevitable that Lake will reach the cap milestone within the next 12 months, clearing the way for a potential big-money move to England or France.