The Japan Times - Wales to use domestic turmoil as Six Nations 'fuel', says Lake

Wales have not won a Six Nations match since 2023, when they narrowly avoided the wooden spoon thanks to a 29-17 victory away to an error-strewn Italy.

They have won only two of their last 23 Tests -- both of which were against Tier II Japan.

In the meantime, the domestic club game is in crisis with the Welsh Rugby Union keen on axing one of the four professional teams competing in the United Rugby Championship to save money.

And in the build-up to the Six Nations, which kicks off next week, the news that Ospreys' owners Y11 Sport and Media had been named as the preferred bidder by the WRU to take over domestic rivals Cardiff, who went into administration in April 2025, sent more shockwaves through Welsh rugby.

"Obviously it's a tough situation for everyone to find out in the week (about the takeover)," Lake told reporters at the Six Nations launch at Edinburgh Castle.

"It probably is quite a welcome distraction" to be playing in the Six Nations, he added.

"Having the opportunity to step on the field and represent your country in one of the best competitions in the world is only going to take your mind away from things happening off the field.

"It's also massive fuel for the fire for us. What's going on off-field affects everyone in our group."

Should the Y11 deal go through, Ospreys and Cardiff would continue as separate sides, but be owned by one organisation.

Ospreys' future looks bleak as they have only been given playing guarantees until the end of the 2026-27 season.

Fans of both clubs protested against the plans at the weekend.

It has put an added weight on the shoulders of the Welsh players as they look to end their miserable run of recent results -- their last victory over a Tier I nation was at the 2023 World Cup, when they thumped Australia 40-6.

Hooker Lake, 26, who will quit Ospreys for Gloucester at the end of the season, said he will try to focus the players' minds on the Six Nations.

"The only thing I will deal with is that come game time everyone is switched on," he said.

"The group and environment we've built will take care of itself, I don't think there will be too much of a hangover."

Even so, head coach Steve Tandy said he has encouraged players not to bury their concerns.

"If they've got something to share, rather than it being (an) elephant in the room and no-one talking about it, we encourage them to speak," he said.

K.Abe--JT