When Dewi Lake signed his first professional contract with the Ospreys, the question came in over whether the young hooker had been attracting interest from England.
The answer? “If he’s not attracting interest, no-one will,” a well-placed source at the region said. That was close on three years ago, just after after Lake had celebrated his 20th birthday.
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Few casual rugby observers were aware of his potential then, but Scott Baldwin was, having noted his progression coming through at the Ospreys. Baldwin, one of the most perceptive and interesting player-interviewees in the game, said he expected Lake to go places in Welsh rugby, and sooner rather than later. “If we’re looking ahead to the 2023 World Cup, I see him as Wales’ starting hooker,” said Baldwin. “He’s a big man who's strong, good around the field and he can scrummage. He has a lot of growth in him and the attitude to come through.”
There would be the odd bump in the road, predicted Baldwin, with former back-rower Lake likely to need help with his set-piece work. “I saw him at Bridgend at the start of the season, and I don’t think he’ll mind me saying this but he couldn’t hit a barn door with a handful of rice,” laughed the Wales hooker from the 2015 World Cup. “But he’s come on massively and is only going to get better and better.”
Call that sharp analysis. Lake has needed assistance with his throwing and has continued to make big progress on that front. He’s won five Wales caps already, including one as a starter, and has pleased the national coaches. Earlier this year, the 6ft 1in, 17st 4lb No. 2 was described as a ‘unique talent’ on the Welsh Rugby Union’s official website in a piece that referenced his 'explosive ball-carrying, strength over the ball and ability in the wide channels'.
As Baldwin hinted in 2019, Lake has a mental toughness about him as well, evident when he resisted opposition attempts to goad him at a key lineout late in the England-Wales game at Twickenham two months and didn’t back down during a memorable running battle with Lions Tests starter Jamie George.
It was a clash within a clash, with the experienced Englishman and Lake first going nose to nose amid verbals after the hosts won a scrum penalty. Seconds later, the young Welshman saw his chance for an instant score-settling as he swooped over George for a turnover with the eagerness of a hungry wolf claiming a lamb chop.
It didn’t end there. After a Lake lineout throw didn’t go as intended, George ran from the back of the set-piece to the channel in which Lake was standing, and from a distance of 10 yards shouted something in his opponent’s direction. All things considered, the message probably didn’t run along the lines of: ‘Don’t worry, kind sir. Throwing's an occupational hazard for a hooker. I’ve missed with a fair few in my time. Here’s hoping it’ll click for you next time. You have my best wishes. I'll stand you a pint in the bar later.”
Regardless, Lake followed up with a piledriving carry. For him, backing down wasn’t on the agenda. Possibly, the words are not even in his vocabulary. Days after, his regional coach expressed the view that English attempts to put Lake off his game had been doomed to failure. “Dewi’s more of an oak tree than a shrinking violet,” said Ospreys team boss Toby Booth.
"He's a very combative and competitive guy. I think the fact that they've gone after him, he should take that as a compliment. He certainly won't shy away from any challenge. When called on in that critical moment, he did his job and what he had to do, so it was a wasted effort, wasn't it?"
Indeed it was.
While the Six Nations may have been unsuccessful for Wales, the displays of Lake and Ryan Elias suggest they are well covered in the middle-of-the-front-row slot heading for the World Cup. Both performed strongly in the recent tournament, with Elias confirming himself as a 24-carat battler.
The Scarlet started four games to Lake’s one, but Wales used the pair well and Lake’s effort against Italy in the final round saw him finish the campaign with momentum. For one so young, playing in the front row, his was an exceptional effort over the five games. Comparing the Welsh player’s stats for the tournament with those of France’s Julien Marchand underlines the point. Les Bleus’ starting No. 2 was a popular choice at hooker when teams of the Six Nations were picked, yet Lake made more ground per carry (4.71metres against 3.6 metres), put in eight more tackles (28 against 20) and matched Marchand turnover for turnover (three apiece). Oh, and the Frenchman had 112 minutes more on the pitch.
That’s not to devalue Marchand's contribution, with the Toulouse player performing consistently well. Rather, it is to underline how strongly Lake performed. It should be noted, too, that Elias’ stats are similarly impressive.
But Lake is a relative babe in arms in rugby terms, very much still learning, particularly having changed his position. Former Ospreys coach Sean Holley, now a much-respected rugby analyst and pundit, said: “Dewi was really good in the Six Nations.
“I saw him in the U20s World Cup in Argentina when he was captain. Wales didn’t do that well, but he led from the front and is the sort of player who thrives with good players around him.
“He’s a player who’s suited at Test level. He’s physical and the nuts and bolts of his game stood up well in the Six Nations. His throwing was good, he carried well, the scrum was fine when he was on the field and he made his tackles. I also like his attitude. He has leadership qualities that were developed in junior rugby and he puts himself forward.
“Wales have two young hookers now who should serve them well. Ryan Elias is a good scrummager who works hard, too. Both of them had some really good moments.”
We can’t say for certain who’ll line up at No. 2 at the World Cup, and it’s probably wise not to rule out Ken Owens from putting in a challenge and aiming for a last hurrah on the big stage.
But what we can predict with confidence is that Lake will be there or thereabouts for a starting spot. History will show that the 2022 Six Nations didn’t go well generally for Wayne Pivac’s team. But it wasn’t all bad. In their young Bridgend-born hooker, who plays with his heart on his sleeves, Wales look to have a gem.
