Wales Captain Dewi Lake Admits Team Let Down Fans in Heavy England Defeat
Wales captain Dewi Lake has openly admitted that his team "let people down" following a crushing 48-7 defeat to England in the Six Nations championship. The match, held at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on Saturday, 7 February 2026, saw Wales suffer another heavy loss to their historic rivals, marking a second consecutive year of disappointment in this fixture.
Discipline Issues and Penalty Woes
The visitors' performance was marred by significant disciplinary problems, with Wales conceding 10 penalties in the first 21 minutes alone. Lake himself was one of four players sent to the sin bin, highlighting the team's struggles to maintain composure under pressure. This lack of discipline allowed England to accelerate out of sight early in the game, setting the tone for a one-sided contest.
Lake refused to blame external factors, despite ongoing turmoil in Welsh rugby. The squad included four Ospreys players who are grappling with news that the Welsh Rugby Union may fold their United Rugby Championship side at the end of the next season. However, the captain emphasized that this off-field strife was not an excuse for their on-field performance.
Captain's Frank Assessment
In a post-match reflection, Lake was brutally honest about his team's shortcomings. "We let ourselves down and let people down," he stated. "We spoke all week about what we were going to produce and we didn't do it. There's no other way to say it. We're massively disappointed with what we put on the field today."
He acknowledged that Wales failed to convert opportunities into points, lacking the accuracy needed to compete against one of the form teams in world rugby. "Ultimately, we put ourselves under that pressure. The penalty count, the cards. That's on us," Lake added, noting that the team did not feel under massive pressure in the initial 15 minutes but still could not execute their game plan effectively.
Looking Ahead to Future Matches
Wales are now seeking their first win in the Six Nations since 2023, with their next challenge being a home game against France, who are buoyed by a significant victory over Ireland. Another tough outing may be in store for Steve Tandy's side, but Lake has called on the Welsh public to rally behind the team in Cardiff.
"Every voice matters to us at the minute, every fan that can get behind us," he urged. "We know we're going to be better next week. We've spoken a lot about wanting to excite a nation. We didn't do it today. We've got another four games in this tournament and we'll make sure we do it next week."
The captain's message underscores a determination to turn their performance around, focusing on accuracy and flipping the script in their favour as they continue their campaign in the prestigious rugby championship.
