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Louis Rees-Zammit won’t be short of suitors after his return to rugby(Image: Chris Fairweather\/Huw Evans Agency)<\/p>\nThere were only two Welsh players on the 2025 Lions tourLouis Rees-Zammit won’t be short of suitors after his return to rugby(Image: Chris Fairweather\/Huw Evans Agency)<\/p>\n
In the aftermath of the British & Irish Lions<\/a>‘ defeat in the third Test against Australia last weekend, chairman Ieuan Evans was asked about the lack of Welsh representation on tour.<\/p>\n “That needs to drive players to say ‘OK, I want a piece of the action. I want to be playing in four years’ time in New Zealand,” said the former Wales and Lions wing. That Jac Morgan<\/a> and Tomos Williams <\/a>were the only two Welshmen on this summer’s tour should be a cause of embarrassment for the Welsh Rugby Union.<\/p>\n The next Lions tour to New Zealand is four years away and a significant amount can change in such a period of time.<\/p>\n But, as it stands, who would be the leading contenders from Wales and are there any players who have not yet broken through that are capable of reaching the heights?<\/p>\n Jac Morgan<\/strong><\/p>\n Let’s get the obvious one out of the way to begin with.<\/p>\n The Wales star was superb in Australia, with his controversial clearout on Wallabies openside Carlo Tizzano at the death in Melbourne playing a pivotal role in the Lions snatching victory in the second Test. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.<\/a><\/p>\n Morgan will be 29 by the time the Lions get set to face the All Blacks so, injury permitting, he should be on that plane in four years’ time.<\/p>\n Louis Rees-Zammit<\/strong><\/p>\n The 24-year-old is heading back to rugby union<\/a> after an 18-month spell in the NFL and you can bet your bottom dollar on the Welsh speedster making an instant impact in the game in which he made his name.<\/p>\n Rees-Zammit should be applauded for trying his hand at American football but one significant consequence was the fact he missed out on this summer’s Lions tour having been involved in 2021.<\/p>\n Tommy Freeman, James Lowe and Blair Kinghorn are all fine players but none of them possess the electric speed and finishing ability of Rees-Zammit.<\/p>\n As of yet, the Welshman has not announced what club he will be signing for but according to reports he is keen to sign up to rugby’s new rebel competition R360.<\/p>\n But Rees-Zammit will undoubtedly break back into the Wales side and should be a strong contender to tour in 2029.<\/p>\n Dewi Lake<\/strong><\/p>\n The 26-year-old hooker was perhaps a bit unlucky not to get called up to the recent tour after England’s Luke Cowan-Dickie suffered an injury.<\/p>\n Lake was spoken of as a serious contender in the two years leading up to the tour, but an injury during the Six Nations<\/a>, along with Matt Sherratt opting to select Elliot Dee to start, probably put paid to his hopes.<\/p>\n But the Ospreys<\/a> star is more than capable of making an impact at that level with his powerful carrying game, set-piece prowess along with his dynamism standing out.<\/p>\n Lake will be 30 in 2029 and the Lions will no doubt be a goal of his over the next four years.<\/p>\n Morgan Morse<\/strong><\/p>\n Morse is still only 20 and hasn’t even established himself as first choice for the Ospreys yet – but this guy is a serious talent. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Ask anyone working in Welsh rugby’s pathways or within the professional game who the biggest prospect in Wales is and it would be a big surprise if they did not go for Morse.<\/p>\n The rising Ospreys star can play across the entire backrow and is pure X-factor.<\/p>\n Morse has a lovely blend of athleticism and raw physicality while he is also an explosive carrier who is equally as comfortable in the tight as the wide channels.<\/p>\n It is a matter of when not if he makes his mark with Wales and Morse certainly has the potential to become a future Lion.<\/p>\n Dafydd Jenkins<\/strong><\/p>\n The 22-year-old has had a rough time of it for Wales over the past couple of years but despite the losing run he has been one of the better players.<\/p>\n Jenkins is highly regarded within rugby circles and certainly has the potential to become a Lion in the future.<\/p>\n The Exeter Chiefs lock is a physical specimen who gets through a huge amount of the unseen dirty work which provides the platform for others to claim the glory.<\/p>\n