'I was about 5ft 6in' - When Dewi Lake knew he had to switch position
Dewi Lake says he knew it would be “a tough nut to crack” after switching from the back row to hooker just four years ago.
But Lake, one of Welsh rugby’s brightest young prospects, will continue his promising development when he makes a first Wales start on Saturday.
After winning four caps off the bench, 22-year-old Lake has a chance to complete this season’s Six Nations against Italy by leaving another impression on Wales boss Wayne Pivac and his coaching staff.
With the World Cup in France just 18 months away, Ospreys forward Lake is an emerging force, adding considerable competition for Wales’ number two shirt alongside the likes of Ryan Elias, Bradley Roberts, Elliot Dee and Ken Owens, who is currently injured.
When former Wales Under-20 captain Lake arrived at the Ospreys academy as a teenager, back-row was his area of expertise.
“I had always spoken to my father about if there was any opportunity in rugby we would pursue that avenue to do it,” Bridgend-born Lake said.
“From a young age, we always thought hooker eventually would be an outcome with the crop of back-rowers Ospreys had at the time, and Wales have always been strong there.
“I knew that would be a tough nut to crack. I had not grown at the time, and was probably standing about 5ft 6in.
“It has been hard work around set-piece, and there are still struggles there. We are working on that daily, and the improvements are coming slowly.
“It is not an overnight job, and that work I am doing with the coaches is coming. It is nice it has fallen into place.
“I like the physical part of the game, so carries, tackles, getting over the ball, that is what I enjoy and feel that I bring.”
Lake saw his progress stalled last year by an ankle injury that meant several months on the sidelines.
But he recovered in time to gain selection for Wales’ Six Nations squad, making his debut in the tournament opener against Ireland, before adding three more appearances as a replacement.
“What has helped me most is possibly that transition of being pulled into the (Wales) squad in 2020 for the first time, so things were not as new this time around,” he added.
“It has helped me to gel with the squad quicker and get on my feet. It looks seamless, but there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes and I have enjoyed my rugby and getting out on the park.
“It was a big step up (in 2020) coming out of the under-20s, where you are a big fish in a small pond, I guess to stepping into that environment where you are a very small fish.
“But the welcome you get from the group of boys just puts you at ease. I think then coming into camp this time around, it made me feel that you didn’t have to be too nervous.
“In terms of development for me as a player, just being able to work under the coaches here and with players like Dan Biggar and Alun Wyn Jones – training with that calibre of player brings a better player out of you.”
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Everywhere you turn some irish journo is advocating Ireland as the greatest, reasoning that the wc is a 4 year cycle event so, they say wc doesn’t matter it’s the rugby in between that should account for the accolade. If there was no wc then some substance could be gained, however in my opinion the moment that defined Ireland’s fate against the abs was 37 phases of repeated head bashing against a brick wall. If a change in strategy or a tinker with the game plan was executed then things could've been vastly different. And to point a finger the let down was in the hands of the number 10.
Go to commentsI have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
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