Jac Morgan

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Jac Morgan

| image = File:Jac Morgan 2023.jpg

| birth_name = Jac Morgan

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|1|21|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Swansea, Wales

| height = {{convert|182|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|105|kg|lb stlb|abbr=on}}

| university =

| relatives =

| ru_currentposition =

| ru_currentteam = Ospreys

| ru_position = Flanker

| ru_proclubs = Scarlets
Ospreys

| ru_clubyears = 2019–2021
2021–

| ru_clubcaps = 20
44

| ru_clubpoints = (20)
(30)

| repyears1 = 2018–2020

| repteam1 = Wales U20

| repcaps1 = 15

| reppoints1 = 10

| repyears2 = 2022–

| repteam2 = Wales

| repcaps2 = 24

| reppoints2 = 35

}}

Jac Morgan (born 21 January 2000) is a Welsh rugby union player, who plays in the backrow for the Ospreys and Wales. He is the current captain of the Wales national rugby union team.{{cite web | title=Scarlets Academy | website=scarlets.wales | date=5 January 2020 | url=https://www.scarlets.wales/en/rugby/academy/ | access-date=5 January 2020 | archive-date=12 April 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412160438/https://www.scarlets.wales/en/rugby/academy/ | url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player_35892.html|work=itsrugby.co.uk|title=Jac Morgan|date=5 January 2020}}

Early life

Jac Morgan was born in Sketty, Swansea, and grew up in Brynamman. He attended school at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, and gave up a mechanical engineering apprenticeship to pursue professional rugby union.{{Cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/unbelievable-performance-young-rugby-machine-19286894|title=The 'unbelievable' performance from a young Welsh rugby machine|first=Mark|last=Orders|date=November 16, 2020|website=WalesOnline}}

Club career

Morgan came through the Scarlets academy and made his debut in the Challenge Cup clash with London Irish in November 2019. Morgan then scored his first professional try in the Pro 14 defeat to Ulster.{{Cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/ulster-rugby/ulster-rack-up-bonus-point-over-scarlets-in-game-of-two-halves-at-kingspan-38738512.html|title=Ulster rack up bonus point over Scarlets in game of two halves at Kingspan|newspaper=Belfasttelegraph}}

After returning from a knee injury in February, Morgan crossed for two tries in a man-of-the-match display against Benetton, before putting in 25 tackles to help the Scarlets claim a crucial victory over Edinburgh. This led to Morgan being voted Scarlets Player of the Month for February.{{Cite web|url=https://www.scarlets.wales/article/jac-voted-scarlets-player-of-the-month-for-february/|title=Jac voted Scarlets player of the month for February|website=Scarlets Rugby|date=8 March 2021 }}

In March 2021, it was announced that Morgan would join local rivals Ospreys following expiration of his contract.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56286689|title=Ospreys confirm Morgan signing|work=BBC Sport}}

He began his Ospreys career in great form, being awarded man of the match in their 18–10 victory over Munster on 23 October 2021.{{Cite web |title=Amman Valley man Jac delighted to be man of the match against Munster |url=https://www.southwalesguardian.co.uk/news/19672838.amman-valley-start-jac-man-match-munster/ |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=South Wales Guardian |date=26 October 2021 |language=en}} He was overlooked for selection for the Wales for the upcoming Autumn test series, despite recognition from press and pundits alike.{{Cite web |last=James |first=Ben |date=2021-10-14 |title=Jac Morgan and Tommy Reffell told they don't suit Wales' style of play |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/jac-morgan-tommy-reffell-told-21853869 |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=WalesOnline |language=en}}

Morgan was named man of the match on 20 January 2023, scoring an 88th minute try as the Ospreys beat Leicester Tigers at Welford Road, securing their place in the knockouts of the 2022–23 Champions Cup.{{Cite web |title=Ospreys stun Leicester in dramatic fashion - Welsh Rugby Union |url=https://www.wru.wales/report/ospreys-stun-leicester-in-dramatic-fashion/ |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=Welsh Rugby Union {{!}} Wales & Regions |language=en-GB}}

Morgan can play at blindside, number eight, and openside flanker. He is relatively small compared to most,e.g. Sam Cane, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Jerome Kaino but not all,e.g. Hamish Watson top international players in these positions.

International career

In the Six Nations Under 20s Championship 2019-20 he captained Wales{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51280706 |title=Under-20s Six Nations: Wales 7-17 Italy |author= |date=31 January 2020 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=10 April 2020|quote=Scarlets flanker Jac Morgan captained Wales Under-20s against Italy (picture caption)}} and achieved more turnovers than any other player in this tournament.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/rising-stars---welsh-wrecking-ball%2C-jac-morgan/626221|title=Rising Stars - Welsh Wrecking Ball, Jac Morgan|website=www.ultimaterugby.com|date=27 March 2020 }} He was called up to the senior Wales squad for the 2022 Six Nations Championship.{{cite news

|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/60024912

|title=Dan Biggar: Wales name Lions fly-half as captain for 2022 Six Nations

|publisher=BBC

|date=18 January 2022 |access-date=3 February 2022}}

Morgan made his senior Wales debut on 12 February 2022 in the 20-17 victory over Scotland. {{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/60360404|title=Biggar leads Wales to win over Scotland|work=BBC Sport}}

Morgan was controversially dropped by Wales coach Wayne Pivac, ahead of the 2022 tour of South Africa.{{Cite news |title=Ospreys surprised by Morgan omission |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/61501637 |access-date=2022-12-20}}

Consistent performances for the Ospreys saw him recalled to the Welsh squad for the 2022 end-of-year rugby union internationals. Morgan scored four tries in two matches, gaining plaudits from the press despite an overall poor series for the side.{{Cite web |last=Orders |first=Mark |date=2022-11-26 |title=Wales player ratings as Jac a 'one-man wrecking machine' but others disappoint |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-player-ratings-against-australia-25613967 |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=WalesOnline |language=en}}

Morgan retained his place in the Welsh squad for the 2023 Six Nations.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-17 |title=Owens captains new 37-man Wales squad - Welsh Rugby Union |url=https://www.wru.wales/2023/01/owens-captains-new-37-man-wales-squad/ |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=Welsh Rugby Union {{!}} Wales & Regions |language=en-GB}} He showed his versatility early on in the tournament, starting the first match against Ireland as a blindside flanker, before moving to number eight in the following fixture against Scotland.{{Cite news |title=Ireland cruise to Six Nations win over Wales |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/64519964 |access-date=2023-02-12}}{{Cite news |title=Scotland blow away Wales to end Gatland hoodoo |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/64613056 |access-date=2023-02-12}}

He was chosen to co-captain the Welsh squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup alongside Dewi Lake.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-21 |title=Wales reveal squad for Rugby World Cup 2023 - Welsh Rugby Union |url=https://www.wru.wales/2023/08/wales-reveal-squad-for-rugby-world-cup-2023/ |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=Welsh Rugby Union {{!}} Wales & Regions |language=en-GB}} Morgan scored tries in the World Cup games against Portugal{{Cite web |last=rugbybworldcup.com |title=Wales v Portugal {{!}} Rugby World Cup 2023 |url=https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/match/pool-c-wales-portugal |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=www.rugbyworldcup.com |language=en}} and Australia.{{Cite web |last=rugbybworldcup.com |title=Wales v Australia {{!}} Rugby World Cup 2023 |url=https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/match/pool-c-wales-australia |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=www.rugbyworldcup.com |language=en}}

= International tries =

Try	Opponent	Location	Venue	Competition	Date
class="wikitable sortable"
1 \| rowspan=2\|{{ru\|GEO}} \| rowspan=2\|Cardiff, Wales \| rowspan=2\|Principality Stadium \| rowspan=2\|2022 Autumn Internationals \| rowspan=2\|{{dts\|format=dmy\|2022\|November\|19}} \| rowspan=2\|Loss
2
3 \| rowspan=2\|{{ru\|AUS}} \| rowspan=2\|Cardiff, Wales \| rowspan=2\|Principality Stadium \| rowspan=2\|2022 Autumn Internationals \| rowspan=2\|{{dts\|format=dmy\|2022\|November\|26}} \| rowspan=2\|Loss
4
5 \| {{ru\|POR}}	Nice, France	Stade de Nice	2023 Rugby World Cup	{{dts\|format=dmy\|2023\|September\|16}}	Win
6 \| {{ru\|AUS}}	Lyon, France	Parc Olympique Lyonnais	2023 Rugby World Cup	{{dts\|format=dmy\|2023\|September\|24}}	Win
7 \| {{ru\|IRE}}	Cardiff, Wales	Millennium Stadium	2025 Six Nations Championship	{{dts\|format=dmy\|2025\|February\|22}}	Loss

References

External links

{{Sport links}}
[https://www.wru.wales/player/jac-morgan/ WRU profile]
[https://www.ospreysrugby.com/player/248 Ospreys profile]

Category:2000 births

Category:Living people

Category:Scarlets players

Category:21st-century Welsh sportsmen

Category:Rugby union flankers

Category:Ospreys (rugby union) players

Category:Welsh rugby union players

Category:Wales international rugby union players

Category:Rugby union players from Carmarthen

Category:2023 Rugby World Cup players