Losing Lake and Morgan would be 'big blow' - Jones

Ospreys head coach Mark Jones says losing Wales captains Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan to Gloucester would be a big blow.

Both players are out of contract at the end of the season and are expected to move to Kingsholm.

British and Irish Lions flanker Morgan is Ospreys' and Wales' first-choice captain with hooker Lake his able deputy for club and country.

Jones says he has not given up all hope of retaining the Wales duo, but understands Welsh rugby's uncertainty makes them realistic targets for other sides.

"Any team that had those players with them, it would be a big blow to lose them," said Jones.

"All I can assure our supporters is we're doing our best to keep them. They've got the best offers we can give in front of them.

"I haven't given up on keeping anybody at the Ospreys. We're working tirelessly to get our retention right."

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'Uncertainty in Welsh rugby is not helping'

Lake and Morgan are among more than 80 Wales-based players out of contract at the end of 2025-26.

Ospreys scrum-half Kieran Hardy has also been linked with Gloucester, while Leicester are said to be interested in Wales fly-half Dan Edwards.

"It's so difficult when you don't have future budgets, clarity on the amount of teams, or the competition you're going to be playing in," said Jones.

"It's difficult to give a long-term view on what it looks like. We can only control the environment these players are in and support we can give them.

"We can offer them contracts they hopefully feel are representative of their quality and that's what we're doing at the moment."

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) announced in October it planned to reduce the number of professional men's sides in Wales from four to three, but there is still no resolution on how that will happen.

Jones says the continued uncertainty in Welsh rugby is the major issue.

"Nothing that's going on at the moment is helping, with that ambiguity," said Jones.

"Anytime there's a void of information, it gets filled with rumour, anxiety and whatever.

"It's not helping, the lack of information and clarity we can give players.

"It's the fear of the unknown. It's difficult enough when you have news that is tough for you, but it's worse when you have no news.

"That's when your imagination can run wild and it creates a lot of anxiety. Everyone handles it differently, but it's not easy."

Jones has hailed the character of his squad in dealing with the off-the-field chaos that showed in coming back to beat Connacht 24-21 last weekend in the European Challenge Cup.

"Myself and the players are responsible for the on-field performances and the training weeks, that takes up our time," said Jones.

"We have to trust the powers that are above us are making sure there's a bright future for Ospreys and Welsh rugby.

"We're focusing on what we can control in a nutshell and the players are doing a good job of it.

What does the future hold for Ospreys?

The very survival of the Ospreys in its current guise also lies at the heart of the issues.

Welsh rugby's governing body confirmed it proposes to grant three licences for men's clubs.

There will be one in Cardiff, one in the east and one in the west, which is expected to result in a straight survival fight between Ospreys and Scarlets in Llanelli.

Another option that has now emerged is Ospreys owners, Y11 Sport & Media, taking over WRU-owned Cardiff, which could produce the desired number of three professional sides.

Discussions are continuing on what the future will hold and Jones was asked what guarantees he and the Ospreys squad had been given about the region's future from the WRU, Y11 or regional bosses.

"No guarantees. Nobody is giving any guarantees," said Jones.

"The only guarantee is they are still talking about it. I trust Lance Bradley [chief executive] and Dan Griffiths [rugby general manager] to do the best at that level of operation to represent us to the WRU.

"I've got that level of trust. My job is to do the best I can with the rugby department."

Given the radio silence from the rugby powerbrokers, Ospreys supporters fear for the future of their side.

When presented with the scenario the Ospreys could cease to exist in its current form, Jones responded: "It could be, but it could also be the start of something new, exciting or amazing.

"Naturally, you always go to the fear side of things. I'm of the mindset that whatever comes out of this will be better than what's before.

"That's how I'm viewing it. But until that happens, everyone will have to consider the other scenario you've outlined."

Jones launched an impassioned message to the Ospreys fans to just "keeping doing what they are doing" as he prepares for a trip to face Montauban on Saturday in France.

"They are supporting the team exceptionally well home and away," said Jones.

"They are making noise at the ground which the players can live off. I'm not on social media, but I know there's huge support for the players and the Ospreys.

"I encourage them to keep going. We're all working towards a bright future and we hoping that future will involve the Ospreys being a key part of it."