Highly-rated Harri Morgan marked his first game on loan to English Championship side Ampthill with a starring show that earned the former Wales U20s scrum-half rave reviews.
The Maesteg product helped Paul Turner’s club to a 20-10 away victory over Bedford.
Coming through age-grade rugby, Morgan had been rated as a player destined to go on to achieve senior honours with Wales. But he’s had a tough time with injuries and has now been sent out to English rugby’s second tier for game-time, with the Ospreys reserving the right to call him back should he be required.
Head coach Turner's clever rugby brain should help point the youngster in the right direction.
Morgan didn’t take long to make his mark with Ampthill.
Collecting the ball from the base of a scrum, he threw out a dummy which opened the Bedford defence and allowed him to cross unopposed. It was a score of stunning simplicity, based on just a flash of inspiration.
But it prompted an enthusiastic response from whomever was in charge of Ampthill’s official Twitter posts during the game.
“HARRI MORGAN YOU BEAUTY!!” wrote the poster, using capitals to underline the point.
“Our debutant scrummie shuts up this home crowd with a scintillating solo effort! He picks up from the base of the scrum and dummies a pass to blast past the defender and give us the lead! Cheers @ospreys can he stay forever?”
Presumably, the Ospreys will have to get back to them on that last point.
Let’s say the English club shouldn’t bank on the answer being in the affirmative.
But it was a fine way for Morgan to start.
Throughout the game he showed his class, with the man on duty for The Rugby Paper at Goldington Road writing: “Harri Morgan starred on debut for Ampthill.
“The way he carried himself evoked the player of a level higher than anyone else on the pitch.
“He was that split-second quicker, in his decision-making and execution.”
Morgan first came to attention in age-grade rugby, standing out for Wales U18s in wins over England and South Africa.
A year later, then Ospreys coach Gruff Rees said of him : “I watched him playing for Wales Under-18s against Ireland last season and he had a real abrasive edge,” said Ospreys backs coach Gruff Rees.
“He also had a chopsy manner, which isn’t a bad thing for a scrum half. I just think he has a fair bit going for him.
“Not only does he have a promising kicking game and the ability to run smart support lines, he also has good athletic potential and is dynamic in contact.”
A talented all-round sportsman, Morgan was with Cardiff City football club at junior level, playing in midfield.
He also featured at wing and full-back in rugby before settling at scrum-half.
A key priority for the 21-year-old will be to demonstrate his durability after all the injuries he’s had.
He also needs to update his highlights reel.
But Saturday was a good day for him, underlining that he may yet cash in on the big potential he showed as a teenager.
Another Welsh youngster, Ben Cambriani, is also making waves at the same club.
The son of former Wales rugby league player Adrian Cambriani, Ben scored the try that sealed the game against Bedford in Ampthill’s favour.
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