YOUNG GUNS
CARDIFF MET FLY-HALF
Ethan Morgan describes playing rugby at Cardiff Metro-politan University as the perfect environment for an aspiring professional rugby player.
Cardiff Met finished third in BUCS Super Rugby and reached the semi-finals of this year’s competition and Morgan was a key figure pulling the strings at 10 as he scored 114 points.
The 20-year-old said: “First year was a bit of a ropey one with Covid but this is my first year playing for Met and it’s been awesome. The biggest thing for me is how professional it is, you’re in a high-level environment where you train five days a week. When you want to be a professional rugby player it’s the perfect environment to be in aged 19-20.
“This season has been a magical one, I played 12 games in Super BUCS so that was special, and we’ve had such a tight group that have travelled to the likes of Leeds and Durham which has been awesome.”
The fly-half started out at his local club Newquay aged five and stayed there until 16 when he was awarded a scholarship to famous rugby school Downside in Bath. He said: “When I was five my dad took me to my local club. There were four or five players who stayed all the way until U16s which made it a tight group and we went on to win the County Championship in my final year which was brilliant.”
After performing well for Downside, Morgan attracted the eye of the Bath Academy coaches who invited him to a trial but after being involved in the club’s academy he failed to sign an academy contract.
He added: “The U18s season came round and I got selected in the squad. The season started really well, I started at 15 throughout the whole campaign and played with the likes of Orlando Bailey, Ewan Richards and Ethan Stadden who are playing in the Premiership now but that ended for me unfortunately as I didn’t get a contract at the end of it. Covid then hit and I got the opportunity to play two A-League games for Bath against Harlequins and Gloucester which I enjoyed but I wasn’t able to carry on at the club.
“Not getting a contract was the toughest thing I’ve ever experienced because from a young age wanting to get a professional contract was a huge goal of mine. Nowadays, you see most rugby players going pro at the age of 23-24, so it’s one of those things you’ve got to stick out, but it was tough to take, and I hope to get another opportunity in a couple of years’ time.”
From a young age, Morgan has idolised All Blacks full back Damian McKenzie and sees similarities between himself and the Chiefs star.
He said: “My biggest rugby idol has always been Damian McKenzie; he’s not tall, he’s not heavy, he plays 10 and 15 which I do and is just really elusive and plays with great freedom.”
Short-term Morgan wants to develop his game further and is enjoying adapting to this season’s new laws.
Morgan said: “I like the 50:22 because as a kicker it’s quite useful as a skill. I’ve hit quite a few which is always a positive. I like the goal line drop out from a defensive point but I can see why, from an attacking standpoint, it can be quite frustrating because it doesn’t reward the attack.”
