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Morgan Morris of Ospreys(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)
These are your latest rugby headlines on Monday, April 27.
‘Nightmare’ Wales star shines on return
Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams made a superb return to action as he helped his Gloucester side defeat Exeter Chiefs 34-31 at Kingsholm on Sunday afternoon.
The Cherry and Whites captain had not played in over a month due to a shoulder injury but slotted straight back in as he ran the show in attack and proved a constant thorn in Exeter’s side.
In a first half that saw his Wales teammate Max Llewellyn score twice before being forced off with a head knock, Williams also got on the scoresheet as he sniped his way through a cluttered Chiefs defence to cross for his side’s second try on 21 minutes.
His impact was noticeable as Gloucester played with intent and confidence in attack, and former England international Austin Healey, on punditry duty for TNT Sports, admitted the Welshman’s ability makes him a “nightmare” for the opposition to deal with.
“This guy is having an unbelievable game, as he did this time last year,” said Healey. “Just around the base, he’s getting really wide.
“The wingers in terms of Joseph and Loader are having brilliant games but the threat out wide and him at the base, it’s just a nightmare to defend against.
“His distributing, he’s not always standing at the base on this occasion, but look how wide he gets. He gets on the full run around, that’s 20 metres away from the breakdown.
“There’s real pace out wide and intensity in the carry,” he added. “You can sense that they’ve snapped a little bit this week, Gloucester, you can see it in how hard they are running.
“[Williams] went over for one of those trademark tries, he just pumps the ball a couple of times and gets over the line. This is how Gloucester should be playing week in, week out, not just once every 15 games.”
Morris tipped for Wales chance
Ospreys back rower Morgan Morris has put himself in contention for a Wales summer squad place, according to coach Mark Jones. The 27-year-old has endured an injury-ravaged season that has restricted him to just 10 appearances after being one of the form players in the country over the last few years.
Despite many calling for him to earn international recognition, he failed to convince former coach Warren Gatland he was up to Test rugby. Jones, though, believes with Morris now back and a new Wales coach in place, he is very much part of the conversation again following his fine form since returning.
Morris’ dynamic and powerful carrying ability is a real standout feature of his game and is a quality Tandy is keen to have in Wales’ armoury.
“Morgan is a unique player for us,” Ospreys head coach Jones told the BBC. “He is very physical and wins a lot of collisions, while from a cultural point of view he’s such a good guy in the environment.
“He has been like a new signing and him and Jac Morgan have done a great job since returning to really put some depth into our squad.
“His performances have been really good and I know he is keen to push on and really get into Steve Tandy’s eyes and impress for a summer tour.”
Morris admitted it has been a tough time. He missed the end of last season after surgery on a foot issue and calf problems then delayed his return until December. He was then injured again in January playing against the Lions.
“It has probably been my toughest season,” he said. “I came into it injured, picked up another couple of injuries, got back into the flow of it and then got injured again.
“I’m just happy to be back out there and I’m looking to be involved. I am taking that as a positive and looking to next season now.”
“It’s the first time I’ve had a season like this,” he said. “I’ve been pretty lucky in the last few years and haven’t really missed many games.
“It’s been a tough year for me but it happens as a rugby player and I’ve come back from it.”
Lynn pleased with Wales’ character
Wales Women head coach Sean Lynn has praised the character shown by his side in their 62-24 Six Nations defeat to England.
World champions England ran in 10 tries on their way to a comfortable victory at Ashton Gate, securing a fifth successive Triple Crown and sealing a record-extending 36th consecutive Test win.
But while Wales fell to what was their 12th defeat in their last 13 Tests, tries from Keira Bevan, Kelsey Jones, captain Bethan Lewis and Seren Lockwood ensured they would leave Bristol with a losing bonus point.
Despite his side still looking for their first win of the campaign, Lynn was encouraged by what he saw as he claimed his side would only be better off for the experience.
“Twelve months ago we would’ve flopped and fallen away, but to show that character to come back and score two tries and get a bonus point, I can’t fault the character,” he said.
“Obviously we’re disappointed we leaked 62 points, but that’s a very good Red Roses side who were clinical today.”
“We will definitely be moving that goalpost for us and we could catch them,” Lynn added. “I couldn’t give you an answer [on how long]. It’s just making sure we focus on us and control what we can.
“That’s the big thing for me, we’ve got individuals, somebody like Freya Bell coming off the bench today who’s looking strong, Jenna De Vera getting her second start, Jorja Aiono, Seren Lockwood – the adaptability she’s showing going onto the wing and playing in front of 28,000 people.
“This experience is just going to help our youngsters and the senior players have been outstanding.”
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