Haydn Morgan Explained

Haydn Morgan
Birth Name:Haydn Joseph Morgan[1]
Birth Date:30 July 1936
Birth Place:Oakdale, Wales
Height:5 ft 10 in
Weight:13 st 7 lb
Ru Position:Flanker
Ru Amateurclubs:Oakdale RFC
Trinant RFC
Abertillery RFC
Army XV
Bicester RUFC
Barbarian F.C.
Ru Nationalteam:Wales[2]
British Lions[3]
Ru Nationalyears:1958–1966
1959–1962
Ru Nationalcaps:27
4
Ru Nationalpoints:(9)
(0)
Occupation:paratrooper[4]
Spouse:Betty Morgan
School:Newbridge Grammar School

Haydn Morgan (30 July 1936 – 20 July 2018)[5] was a Welsh international flanker who played club rugby for Abertillery and Bicester Rugby Union Football Club. He was awarded twenty-seven caps for Wales and toured with Ronnie Dawson's 1959 and Arthur Smith's 1962 British Lions squads. Although a reliable and dynamic player with a heavy, but clean tackle, Morgan suffered at the hands of the selectors often dropped for players who never showed any international longevity.[6]

Morgan first played with Abertillery at the age of 18 at centre, but when called up for National Service he switched to wing-forward while playing for the army.

While garrisoned at MOD Bicester, he asked if he could run out for Bicester Rugby Union Football Club and, with tough selection in those days, was selected to play for the 2nd XV. He wore skipper Ken Haddock's shirt and went on to score two tries. He continued to play for Bicester and played for both club and country (Wales) on successive Saturdays in 1958. Within two years of first wearing a Bicester jersey, he was also called up for duty with the British Lions in 1959 and then again in 1962.[7]

On his return from the army he once again joined the ranks of Abertillery and came to prominence during the joint Abertillery/Ebbw Vale team that faced the touring Australians.

International matches played


Wales[8]

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. http://www.newportgwentdragons.com/Personnel.aspx?pr=114018 Newport Gwent Dragon player profile
  2. http://www.wru.co.uk/12750_14256.php?player=26159&includeref=dynamic Welsh Rugby Union
  3. http://www.espnscrum.com/wales/rugby/player/6215.html scrum.com player profile
  4. Smith (1980), pg 365.
  5. News: Former Wales flanker Morgan dies at 81 . BBC Sport .
  6. Thomas (1979), pg 142.
  7. Web site: Club History .
  8. Smith (1980), pg 469.