Fast forward 14 months and he is wowing everyone in his new role as co-captain of his country at the Rugby World Cup in France. Now you couldn’t imagine a Welsh team without him.
The Ospreys back row man has not only inspired his teammates as an on-field leader, but he has also managed to showcase his all-round skills as a runner, tackler, jackaler, kicker and passer.
After wins over Fiji, Portugal and Australia, Wales currently sit top of Pool C and became the first team to qualify for the quarter finals thanks to their record 40-6 win over the Wallabies. They just have Georgia to go next week to try to make it back-to-back 100 per cent pool records at the World Cup.
Four years ago Morgan was helping Wales to beat Argentina, Fiji and New Zealand at the World Rugby U20 Championships. Now he is in charge of Welsh fortunes at the senior World Cup along with one of his 2019 teammates, Dewi Lake.
🗣️"We want to try and make him proud"
Jac Morgan becomes the second @CWMTWRCHRFC player to play for #WAL following in the footsteps of the late Clive Rowlands.#RWC2023 | #WALvAUS pic.twitter.com/O0FlfV7sab
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) September 24, 2023
His performances in France have been outstanding and led to a long list of achievements to date:
- He is the only player to have played every minute of the three games to date – 240
- He is equal top try scorer with Louis Rees-Zammit – 2
"Put a bow on it"
The try that put the finishing touches on a great Welsh display #RWC2023 | #WALvAUS pic.twitter.com/B9S8YWf2bU
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 24, 2023
- He was top tackler in the game against Australia – 16
- He was third highest tackler against Fiji – 21
- He was named the Mastercard Player of the Match after Wales v Portugal – a game he was only brought into after the warm-up
- He made 70 metres against Portugal and 34 against Australia, including the break that led to the Gareth Davies try
- He recorded a 50-22 kick against Australia and put in the cross-kick that allowed Louis Rees-Zammit to score against Fiji
Rees lightning! ⚡️
Louis Rees-Zammit scores a huge try for Wales after some incredible build up play!#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/chPyYUuEDs
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) September 10, 2023
“He’s phenomenal, he’s one of these guys where nothing fazes him. He’s the same kid all the way through the week, and the same two minutes before the game – he’s brilliant,” said Wales forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys.
“The captaincy has not changed him one iota and he’s a huge figure for us. Against Portugal he wasn’t due to be involved and the non-matchday 23 had done weights and extra-conditioning in the morning!
“He’s just an incredible player who has such an impact on the game, and make such an impact on the group.”
The second player to have come through the ranks of Cwmtwrch rugby club to have captained Wales after Clive Rowlands, he is fast becoming a global star, rather than just a local hero.
