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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.