\n<\/p>\n
Wales head coach Warren Gatland, who will remain in charge despite leading the national men’s side to 12 consecutive Test defeats, will have a look at other captaincy contenders and hooker options before naming his squad in mid January.<\/p>\n
They include Ospreys skipper Jac Morgan, who was co-captain with Lake during the 2023 World Cup while Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins, who has just returned from injury, led Wales during this year’s Six Nations tournament.<\/p>\n
Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias was Lake’s deputy during the autumn internationals but has missed the last three weeks because of a neck injury, although it is not expected to be a long-term absence.<\/p>\n
Cardiff front rower Evan Lloyd was also in the Wales squad in November, while Elliot Dee has yet to play for the Dragons this season because of an ankle problem.<\/p>\n
Lake, who has missed the last two Six Nations tournaments because of injury, has been one of Wales’ few positives over the past six months.<\/p>\n
He was given the captaincy for the summer tour of Australia and kept the role for the autumn internationals as Wales lost against Fiji, Wallabies and South Africa.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n