Morgan focused on his club form
Gloucester number eight puts England disappointment to one side
BEN Morgan is totally focused on playing a big role for Gloucester after his England recall ended in disappointment.
The number eight was named in Eddie Jones’ squad ahead of the autumn internationals but picked up a shoulder injury during the training camp in Portugal ahead of the first Test against South Africa and returned to Gloucester to leave him waiting for his first cap since the 2015 World Cup.
Morgan admitted his return to the international fold did not go “as well as I had hoped.”
“I came home a bit sooner than I thought,” he added. “I just picked up a little niggle but I’ve got back into the fold here and getting some games under my belt now so I’m feeling good.
“It was just good to get involved and good to see what sort of things they’re expecting of you as a player.”
Morgan says he did not receive any feedback from Jones but insists he is not thinking about England at the moment with Gloucester facing back-to-back games against Exeter in the Heineken Champions Cup that will be vital to their quarter-final prospects, the first of which will be at Sandy Park on Saturday.
“To be honest, I’m not looking too far into England, it’s just a case of putting down solid performances for Gloucester and that’s the most important thing,” said Morgan.
“For us, particularly as back rowers I think we’ve got an important job to do down there, we’ve got to be physical, we’ve got to be energetic around the park so that’s the biggest challenge. They’re a tough team, second in the league (Premiership), in a ding-dong with Saracens and we’re close behind.
“But they’re there for a reason. They’re a physical side, they play their style of rugby and they play it very well.
“For us it’s going to take nothing more than our best effort and getting things right consistently for the 80 minutes.”
Gloucester currently sit third in a congested Pool Two, one point better off than Exeter and three behind leaders Munster.
Morgan knows that the Champions Cup offers a big platform to propel himself into England contention again for the Six Nations and next year’s World Cup.
Gloucester are back at Europe’s top table for the first time in five years this season and his latest callup came after a man of the match performance in the win over Castres.
He said: “It’s the competition that everyone wants to be in and as a player you want to be testing yourself against the best players and the best teams and that’s where being in that competition allows you to do that.”
Another Gloucester player who has been spoken about as an England contender over the last week is wing Ollie Thorley, who has scored four tries in his last three games.
Asked if he could be a bolter for the World Cup squad, Morgan said: “I’d certainly hope so. If he can continue his form, he’s got every opportunity.
“The pretty magical finishes he can create, he’s fast, committed, strong in defence, so he’s just got to keep working hard and hope that the right people are watching him.”