The Welshman produced some bright moments in the defeat to Argentina on Friday, but might need to offer a little bit more Down Under
The British and Irish Lions began their summer in somewhat disappointing circumstances on Friday night, with Andy Farrell’s side going down to a 28-24 defeat at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Farrell pulled no punches in his post-match assessment, admitting his team made too many errors on the night, and there are a few things to digest ahead of the opening match of the tour in Australia next weekend. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
As such, it was something of a mixed bag in terms of individual performances, with some players likely in need of a big performance or two if they are to be considered for Test selection against the Wallabies.
Among them, the only Welshman in Friday’s starting XV.
Despite some bright moments, it seems Jac Morgan still has some work to do before he cements his place.
The Daily Telegraph handed the Wales captain a rating of 6/10, saying Morgan “migrated to the wide channels when the Lions had possession from the very outset and won a sharp jackal penalty in the 34th minute as the Lions were scrambling. Among the first Lions to be replaced.”
On Morgan’s Test chances, they added: “Clearly smart and athletic, but there is ferocious competition and he will need a big performance in Australia.”
Winning that penalty just before half-time was a moment others noticed too.
The Irish times, who picked Tommy Freeman and Tom Curry as the standout players, gave Morgan 6/10 and said: “Got involved in everything early in the game and won an important turnover in the first half that could have been a try. Probably didn’t show as much as he is capable of in a frustrating first half. Replaced by Henry Pollock 49 minutes in.”
Ruck.co.uk, who gave Morgan a slightly higher mark of 6.5, noted: “Lions debut for the only Welshman in the starting XV. Morgan made a crucial turnover at the 33rd minute, as the Pumas started to gain momentum in the Lions ‘red zone’. Not the highlight reel he’d been in Wales’ latest Six Nations campaign, with his wait for a Test match victory extending even now in Lions colours.”
The Irish Mirror handed him a 7, and were comparatively full of praise for his performance, however, labelling Morgan “the best of the Lions back row”, and that he had “fought hard in a losing breakdown battle”.
Interestingly, Planet Rugby took a slightly dimmer view, giving him a 5. “A slow start from the Welshman who was one of the Lions who grew into the game as it went on,” they said. “He pilfered over the ball well in the latter stages of the half and impressed more with ball in hand. Replaced early in the second half for Henry Pollock.”
Meanwhile, the same outlet heaped praise on Ellis Genge, claiming the England star ‘bullied’ the Pumas on the night, giving him a stand-out score of 8/10.
Genge was at the heart of Tadhg Beirne’s second-half try, although it was Beirne’s countryman Bundee Aki who seemed to really catch the eye.
Indeed, the centre partnership with Sione Tuipulotu was heralded as one of the key positives on what was otherwise a slightly disappointing evening.
“A stand-out performer in a well-tested Lions side, Aki was the best attacking option for Andy Farrell once again,” said Ruck.co.uk, while the Telegraph claimed: “Aki’s distribution tied together some bright moments for the Lions”.
Elsewhere, Tomos Williams, the only other Welshman involved, was handed similar marks to his countryman after coming off the bench.
Ruck.co.uk noted that he “lifted the attacking tempo upon his hour mark arrival, as the Lions chased the game into the last 20 minutes”, handing him a 6.
The Lions kick off their tour of Australia next Saturday by taking on Western Force in Perth.
