Morgan caps a memorable year by winning award for second time

WALES captain Jac Morgan has been named the Welsh Rugby Writers Association's Wales men’s player of the year for the second time.

- BEN JAMES

After a year that saw the Ospreys back-row carry the weight and expectations of a nation on his shoulders, being the only Welsh tourist left on the British and Irish Lions’ victorious Test series in Australia, Morgan was the obvious choice to be crowned the best player in Wales at an awards ceremony at the Principality Stadium on Thursday night.

Previous winners of the Lloyd Lewis award include some of Welsh rugby's finest, including Sir Gareth Edwards, Phil Bennett, Barry John, Jonathan Davies, Shane Williams and Sam Warburton.

This is the second time Morgan has won the award, having picked up the honour previously in 2023.

That sees him join an exclusive club of two-time winners - with Terry Cobner, Mervyn Davies, Terry Holmes, Neil Jenkins, Rob Howley, Scott Quinnell, Gareth Thomas, James Hook and Alun Wyn Jones the other players to have done so.

“It was a good year, I enjoyed it and I’m really pleased to win this award,” said Morgan after picking up the award.

“It was a tough year with the way that the games went but I was chuffed to watch the boys get the win in Japan.

“That was pretty special. It’s been challenging but we have worked hard as a group and been tight.

Speaking about his Lions experiences this summer, Morgan added: “It was a great experience and I enjoyed being with the coaches and playing group.