Pivac gives Morgan advice on selection

WAYNE Pivac has revealed why Ospreys’ openside talent Jac Morgan was overlooked by Wales for their upcoming autumn campaign.

Both Morgan and Tommy Reffell missed out on selection in the summer when a Wales team shorn of its Lions took on Canada and Argentina in Cardiff.

However, with more back-row injuries and both players starting the season in fine form, it had seemed likely that one, if not both, would have received a callup.

But that wasn’t the case – with Wales receiving special dispensation to instead call up Cardiffbound Wasps flanker Thomas Young, who had been previously captured by the 60-cap rule.

And when asked about what more Morgan and Leicester Tigers’ Reffell could have done, Pivac admitted that they weren’t quite suited to Wales’ style of play yet.

“That is an example of the quality of the No.7s we’ve got, but the question is the type of game we want to play,” said the Wales coach.

“Some clubs play in a similar style to us, but others don’t and their players don’t get to work on the areas of the game that are important to us.

“They have to understand the style of game we want to play, the positional requirements within that and the skill set required to fulfil that role.

“Along with that you need the fitness levels to play at this level, the repeatability and the top end gas. When you look at all of those things, some of the players tick some of the boxes, but not all of them. It is our job to ensure we pick the players who tick the majority of the boxes.

“I spoke to Tommy a few weeks ago and he knows he is on the radar, as is Jac Morgan. They know the work they have to do.”