My Life in Rugby: Scott Morgan – former Wales forward

Each and every time I pulled on a club jersey was special to me irrespective of who I played for, but scoring on my Cardiff Blues debut, against Munster at the start of the 2006/07 season, was particularly memorable. The reports say I received a pass and ran 35 yards to the line but I’m sure it was more like 50!
In my 13 years as a professional, I probably played some of my best rugby that season, culminating in my selection for the 2007 Six Nations squad and one Welsh cap on the summer tour to Australia.
I’m not one that has any regrets because I am very grateful for the opportunities that rugby has given me during my time as a player and now in business with my company Nutrivend, a nutrition-based vending machine company. But, I must admit, sometimes curiosity does get the better of me and I wonder what would have happened had I taken some advice on joining the Blues and made the second row my specialist position rather than switch between lock and blindside flanker.
Never the most naturally gifted of players, I like to think that I was always 100 per cent committed and gave my all. If I did have any x-factor qualities, I would say the lineout would have been it. Unfortunately for me, the lineout for Wales at the time was going okay and we had athletic ball carriers in the back row, so competition for places was tough.
I started my rugby as a youth player at Neath Athletic and then went to Neath College, where I was coached by Darryl Jones. At the time, I played for Wales Schoolboys and we missed out on a Grand Slam after Jonny Wilkinson dropped a last-minute goal in Narberth. Nothing changes!
My professional career kicked off when I followed Darryl to Bristol. I take immense pride in the fact I went on to play in over 200 games of professional rugby – in the Celtic League, Premiership and 50+ in Europe – for some great clubs, with and against some great players.
I made my Premiership debut as an 18-year-old for Bristol against Bedford and had a couple of enjoyable seasons at the club until I returned home to Wales for a season at Llanelli. Under Gareth Jenkins and Nigel Davies, we won the League and did well in the Heineken Cup.
Dean Ryan then made me an offer that I couldn’t refuse to re-join Bristol. I spent another two seasons there before moving up north to Leeds where Phil Davies had transformed the club
It was great to play a part in the biggest day in the club’s history when we won the 2005 Powergen Cup, with an all-Welsh back row, I hasten to add.
Having beaten Bath in the Cup final, we did so again on the final day of the League season, to stay up. Phil deserves so much credit for what he achieved at Leeds. I also had the pleasure of reuniting and working with him when I was asked to captain the Barbarians later in my career.
I joined Cardiff Blues in 2006 under Dai Young. After four seasons and 87 appearances, we must have had nearly two full international in virtually every position.
Had Paul ‘Tommy’ Turner not come in with a last-minute offer for me to sign for the Dragons, I might have ended my professional career at Exeter, but, at the end of the day, I was glad to not to have to put my family through the upheaval of moving again.
After finishing full-time professional rugby, I played part-time with Coventry whilst developing my business. I was proud to captain and coach such a prestigious club and, in my second season as coach, we went on a club record 18-match unbeaten run and finished third in National One.