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HomeRugbyPeter Morgan: Ex-Wales and British and Irish Lions participant dies

Peter Morgan: Ex-Wales and British and Irish Lions participant dies

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Born in Haverfordwest on 1 January, 1959, Morgan gained a Welsh youth cap at St Helen’s in 1977 in opposition to a France aspect that includes an rising Serge Blanco, however a damaged ankle robbed him of the vice-captaincy and extra caps the subsequent season.

In a position to play at fly-half and centre, he discovered from being in the identical membership set-up as Phil Bennett and displaced the ageing Wales and Lions centre Roy Bergiers.

Morgan was a pacy, skillful, a health fanatic and a advantageous seven-a-side practitioner.

In his autobiography, former Wales and Lions wing JJ Williams wrote of Morgan: “I can vouch for the truth that it was a pleasure to play exterior him, even when I could not perceive a phrase he spoke in his Pembrokeshire dialect.”

In 1980, Morgan toured with the Barbarians earlier than successful his first 5 Nations cap as alternative on St David’s Day, 1980 in a 17-6 victory over Scotland.

His full debut, at outside-half, adopted in opposition to Eire at Lansdowne Street two weeks later, when he had an uncomfortable afternoon after a cost down and take a look at by Cieran Fitzgerald in a 21-7 defeat.

However by then Morgan had already performed sufficient to earn his Lions place, on the age of 21.

The tour was not a hit for the Lions, who misplaced the Check collection 3-1, however gained all their provincial encounters, with Morgan taking part in in seven video games.

The late Carwyn James, the legendary 1971 Lions coach, mentioned of Morgan: “Peter was the toddler of the occasion in years, however extra gifted than most.

“He needed to carry the utility tag. Utility gamers fill gaps and on the 1980 tour there have been few gaps for him to fill, but one of many severest criticisms of the administration is that they uncared for him.”

Shortly afterwards, Morgan turned down a big provide to play skilled rugby league for St Helens.

He gained the final of his Wales caps in opposition to Eire on the Nationwide Stadium in 1981, changing Steve Fenwick.

Wales gained 9-8, however Morgan was compelled to retire with damaged ribs after a heavy deal with by reverse quantity David Irwin.

As a schoolboy, he had stood on the tanner financial institution to witness Llanelli’s well-known win over the All Blacks at Stradey Park in 1972, which laid the inspiration for his ambition to tug on the scarlet shirt.

One among Morgan’s Llanelli highlights was the win over Australia in November 1984.

The touring Wallabies had been the primary and solely Australian aspect to realize a Grand Slam within the 4 assessments in opposition to the house nations.

The Scarlets’ triumph, on a sodden pitch, was all of the extra exceptional as a result of they had been shorn of their internationals, who had been making ready to face Australia with Wales 4 days later.

Talking about Morgan, the late Wales and Lions icon Phil Bennett mentioned: “Peter was shy however gutsy with correct kicking out of hand; advantageous distribution expertise and talent to chop defences to shreds.

“He suffered setbacks at important levels in his profession and was unfortunate to not have gained many extra caps.”

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