Wales rugby: Dewi Lake puts injury troubles behind him to lead out team at Twickenham

“It is always tough with injuries and then they always seem to pile on each other," Lake said. Credit: PA

Dewi Lake will captain Wales for the first time on Saturday after an injury-hit 12 months plunged his Test career into uncertainty.

Wales face England in Twickenham following a 20-9 win in Cardiff last weekend.

More than a year after Lake's last Wales appearance against South Africa in Cape Town, the Ospreys hooker has an opportunity to display his credentials.

As the countdown continues to Warren Gatland announcing Wales’ World Cup squad, Lake follows flanker Jac Morgan in being appointed skipper against tournament warm-up opponents England.

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Lake missed the whole of Wales’ international schedule last term as a shoulder injury ruled him out of their autumn campaign, with a knee problem then dampening any Six Nations hopes.

“It is always tough with injuries and then they always seem to pile on each other," Lake said.

“One comes after the next and you think am I going to break this cycle of getting a good run of games and showing that I’m good enough to be selected?

“But no, I am grateful for the work of the people behind the scenes at the Ospreys put in with me to get me back fit. And here we are, I guess.”

Wales won their first warm up game 20-9 against England last Saturday Credit: PA

Jac Morgan led the team out when Wales beat England 20-9 in Cardiff last weekend.

Lake said ahead of the Twickenham rematch: “I think it is important to try to lead from the front, lead by example, as Jac did last weekend.

“Hopefully, if I can do anything as well as he has, then I will be on to a winner.

“Your (captaincy) style is all about knowing your team and knowing who you’ve got around you and being able to cater to how they are going to react to things.”

Gatland has made 15 changes for the England clash, with wing Josh Adams winning his 50th cap, while centre Joe Roberts makes a Test debut and the likes of fly-half Owen Williams, lock Rhys Davies and number eight Taine Plumtree also gain opportunities.

Roberts’ midfield partner Nick Tompkins said: “We are playing for a spot on that plane. It is something you can’t forget about.

“I would be lying if I said you weren’t a little bit on the edge. No-one really feels safe, no-one feels their position is locked down.

“It brings a lot of intensity and it brings a lot of positive emotions. This game, there is a lot on it. I definitely feel that way.

“A lot of people are talking about England coming back and trying to bounce back from the last performance, but you forget there’s 23 (Wales) players back there who are all fighting for their lives to be in the World Cup.”

Wales kick off their World Cup campaign against Fiji in Bordeaux on Sunday 10th September.

They then play other group games against Portugal, Australia and Georgia.