By Ben James

Copyright walesonline

Ospreys coach Mark Jones is hopeful that the Ospreys will keep for club captain Jac Morgan following the Wales skipper’s warning to the Welsh Rugby Union over his own future. Amid the ongoing uncertainty over the number of professional teams in Wales, Morgan has informed the governing body that he would leave Welsh rugby were the Ospreys not to exist following their consultation. Morgan’s stance was relayed to Ospreys supporters at a consultation meeting earlier this week. Morgan is out of contract next summer, with the British and Irish Lions Test star attracting interest from elsewhere. However, the hope for Welsh rugby and the Ospreys will be that they manage to keep hold of its standout player. “Jac has got a hell of a lot of integrity,” said Jones. “He’s a very honest lad. “He loves the Ospreys. He hasn’t said that to me officially, but if he has, that shows just how much he loves the Ospreys and his team-mates. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. “He’s got to be commended for that if he’s said it. Welsh rugby and the Ospreys would love to have Jac in this team for many years. “The team would be better for it. We’re just hoping we can get him out on the field for the Ospreys this season, playing his best rugby and we can enjoy what he has to offer.” Jones also confirmed that Morgan, who was named Welsh Rugby Writers Association player of the year for the second time last week, will captain the Ospreys this season – with Dewi Lake his vice-captain. The pair have both skippered Wales since being named co-captains for the 2023 World Cup – with Jones praising the duo’s leadership skills ahead of the new season. Morgan, having started pre-season late following his exploits with the British and Irish Lions in Australia, won’t feature for the Ospreys in South Africa this weekend – but Lake will captain the side against the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday. “We’ve announced it to the squad,” added Jones. “Jac didn’t come and travel with us initially because he’s been travelling a lot this summer. “He’s been travelling a lot this summer and I just wanted to keep him home a little longer with his family. He’s been jetting around the world, playing an incredible amount of minutes last year. “He hasn’t arrived with us yet. He’s due to fly out on Friday. “But we’ve announced it to the squad. He was happy for me to announce it. “We were hoping he’d be here in the meeting. Dewi Lake is going to be his vice-captain, support him, and step in if needed at certain points, like this weekend. “Dewi will be captain this weekend. Those two have done it before. They’re a great compliment for each other, like yin and yang. “We’ve got a great experienced leadership group in behind them as well. We’re very fortunate to have two guys like that with the support behind them.”