YOUNG GUNS

MORGANMORSE

Schoolboy Morgan Morse was handed a first Wales U20s start at the age of just 17 earlier this year and the Ospreys academy player has plans to go far in the game.

Despite being three years younger than most of his team-mates and opponents, Morse made his age grade international debut in the Six Nations back in February, scoring a late try in Wales’ 26-13 victory over Scotland.

Morse said: “I didn’t really expect it because it was just such a shock. I was still in school and then I turned out to the U18s training day, and they told me that they wanted me to go up to the U20s, so I started training with them and was involved in the Scotland game. At the end I didn’t really know what to say I was just speechless, but it was a really good experience.”

The back row has earned the trust of Wales U20s head coach Byron Hayward who earlier this year said: “I’ve never seen anyone so professional. He forces us to select him – his work rate off the ball is phenomenal.”

Morse also played against England and France in the Six Nations before playing in all four matches in the Summer Series, scoring a try in the opening round win over Scotland.

Wales bounced back from their underwhelming fifth place Six Nations finish and finished the eightteam summer tournament in second, only losing to South Africa in the final.

Morse said: “It’s great to have that belief from Byron. I’d been training well and for them to give me the opportunity meant I was extremely gratefully.

“Having players like Oli Burrows, Christ Tshiunza who’s already got two Welsh caps, Dafydd Jenkins etc. It was really good to play with boys like that. I managed to get loads of opportunities, I started one game and then came off the bench for the rest of the games. Playing three years up is a great experience for me going forward.

“After the Six Nations, the team reflected and had loads of time to improve. We worked really hard in training, and I think we improved loads during the Summer Series.”

At 6ft 1 and 16st 4lbs, Morse has been told he is too small to play in his preferred position of No.8 but at the tender age of just 17 there’s still plenty of growth in the Ospreys academy star.

Morse has enjoyed learning from the likes of Justin Tipuric at the Ospreys and his shortterm goals are to play regularly in the Welsh Premiership next season with Swansea and to continue his development into a well-rounded back row, who has dreams of earning international honours.

He added: “Ospreys have sent their academy players to Swansea now, so I think I’ll be playing there and hopefully play week in week out for Swansea and keep getting exposure to senior rugby and learn different structures.

“I want to go to the top of the game, play for the British and Irish Lions and play for

Wales. I don’t just want to play for Wales a few times I want to get loads of

caps and be the best I can be.”