Morgan rewarded for bright display
HARRI Morgan is set to bridge a 19-month gap for the Ospreys when they face Ulster in the Guinness PRO14 encounter at the Liberty Stadium today (5.15pm).
The highly-rated youngster hasn’t played a league match since March 2019, with injuries knocking him out of contention last season.
But he is on the bench this weekend in the only change to the 23-man squad who lowered Edinburgh’s colours last weekend. Morgan comes in for Reuben Morgan-williams.
It’s reward for a bright display by the Maesteg product in the Ospreys’ friendly with the Scarlets a fortnight ago. An observer who watched the match said the 20-year-old scrum-half lit up proceedings with his alertness and skill.
Morgan has been tipped to become a very special rugby player, shining for Wales U20s and being much talked about by those in the know in Welsh rugby.
Toby Booth otherwise sticks with the matchday squad who posted the 25-10 win over Edinburgh.
Justin Tipuric leads the side from openside flanker.
Mat Protheroe continues out wide after his twotry show at Murrayfield, with Rhys Webb shaking off the bump he picked up in Scotland to feature at scrum-half.
Adam Beard is likely to have a point to prove after the disappointment of failing to make Wales’ squad for the autumn Tests, with the same likely to apply to Kieran Williams, who was outstanding against Edinburgh.
The hard-running Neath product continues alongside Owen Watkin in midfield. Scott Williams hopes to return against Glasgow on October 24.
Watkin is hoping his form with Ospreys can lead to a place in the Wales team for the autumn internationals.
“Even though I’m still only 23, I’ve been at the Ospreys a while and I’ve got 22 Welsh caps so I’ve got a bit of experience under my belt,” Watkin said
“From an Ospreys perspective it’s a chance for me to take a leadership role and be someone others can come to and learn off.
“My game is still not defined and I’ve still got stuff to learn, but I want to play for the Ospreys week in, week out and I’ve got aspirations with Wales as well. I feel I’ve got a lot more to offer and I’ve been stop start with injuries, but hopefully this will be the year I can keep performing.”
If the Ospreys started the campaign impressively, Ulster were none too shabby against Benetton, seeing off stubborn opponents en route to a 35-24 bonus-point victory. Ospreys: Dan Evans; Mat Protheroe, Owen Watkin, Keiran Williams, Luke Morgan, Stephen Myler, Rhys Webb; Nicky Smith, Sam Parry, Tom Botha, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Olly Cracknell, Justin
Tipuric (Capt), Morgan Morris. Reps: Dewi Lake, Rhodri Jones, Ma’afu Fia, Bradley Davies, Dan Lydiate, Harri Morgan, Josh Thomas, Tiaan Thomas-wheeler. Ulster: Jacob Stockdale, Matt Faddes, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Rob Lyttle, Ian Madigan, John Cooney; Jack Mcgrath, Rob Herring, Marty Moore, Alan O’connor, Iain Henderson (Capt), Matthew Rea, Marcus Rea, Marcell Coetzee. Reps: Adam Mcburney, Eric O’sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Kieran Treadwell, Greg Jones, David Shanahan, Louis Ludik, Sean Reidy. Ref: Mike Adamson (Sco).