Tyler aims to up his game after fresh start at Scarlets

TYLER Morgan admits he didn’t hit the heights he was capable of in his last two seasons at the Dragons and hopes learning from Jonathan Davies at the Scarlets can take him to new heights.

Centre Morgan swapped Newport for Llanelli this summer believing change was needed.

Morgan, 25, has struggled with injuries since bursting onto the scene at 18 and starting Wales’ 2015 World Cup quarter-final defeat by South Africa.

“I needed something fresh, just mentally a new challenge,” says Morgan. “My performances started to drop with the Dragons.

“I was hoping coming here to Scarlets would give me a fresh start and I think it has. It has given me a different outlook to rugby.

“There is such a different way of playing here and the training and environment with players like Jonathan Davies makes you enjoy coming to work again.

“It is well documented I have had a few injuries, but hopefully they are in the past now. The programme is very good here at looking at my previous injuries – the Scarlets are a professional team taking care of me and all has been going well so far.”

Morgan’s injury struggles weren’t helped by a diagnosis with type one diabetes, but he is taking inspiration from England and Exeter centre Henry Slade who has the same condition.

Morgan made his first PRO14 start for the Scarlets against Benetton last Friday.

He said: “If I had given up I would have always looked back with regret. There are other boys playing with diabetes, Henry Slade at Exeter is a shining example so I know it is possible.

“Even if I was the only one I would still have carried on. It was a bit of a whirlwind in 2015 and I wish I’d taken it in more than I did. I was only 18 or 19 at the time.

“A couple of years after that I got a few injuries and it did get dark at times, but there is no point looking back with regret.

“I’ve been limited in what I can do for the last few years because of injuries, but physically I feel as good as I have done for a long, long time.

“I’m looking forward to showing the physicality I have done in the past.”