Dewi Lake Acknowledges Improved Wales Performance Despite France Defeat

Wales captain Dewi Lake conceded that despite a 54-12 defeat to France in Cardiff, his team demonstrated improvement compared to their previous outing against England. The match, played in front of a record-low Six Nations crowd at the Principality Stadium, saw Wales struggle against the reigning champions, but Lake highlighted a more positive performance from his side.

Lake Points to Positives Amidst Disappointment

“It’s weird to say looking at the scoreline but we were much better than we were last week for large parts of that game,” Lake stated after the match. He acknowledged the quality of the French side, noting their ability to “create things out of absolutely nothing” and score “world-class tries.”

Despite the disappointment of the scoreboard, Lake emphasized the team’s resilience and determination. “We know there’s things to mop up but we won’t hide away from that fact, or that we’re disappointed with the scoreboard. But, we were much more positive.”

Unwavering Team Spirit

Lake praised the character of the Welsh squad, asserting that their commitment to the game cannot be questioned. “The boys are never going to give up on a result or a Test match or a ball on the floor, anything like that,” he said. “As captain, I don’t need to say anything. Those boys are ready to go anyway.”

Concerns Over Welsh Rugby’s Trajectory

While acknowledging the players’ effort, observers have expressed broader concerns about the state of Welsh rugby. Record defeats are becoming increasingly common, and the national team is facing criticism regarding both performance and the Welsh Rugby Union’s (WRU) management of the sport. The current situation has led to a sense of pessimism among fans and within the wider rugby community.

As of February 16, 2026, Wales has lost 22 of their last 24 Test matches , raising questions about the future direction of the national team.

Recent Matches and Captaincy

Dewi Lake, who plays as a hooker for Ospreys and the Wales national side, made his international debut against Ireland in the 2022 Six Nations Championship . He recently apologized to Welsh supporters following a comprehensive 48-7 defeat by England , acknowledging that the team had “let people down.” Lake also captained the side in the match against France .

Wales will face France next in Cardiff .