First senior deal for teenage scrum-half

Ospreys Rugby are delighted to announce that scrum-half, Harri Morgan, has signed his first senior contract.

The 19-year old from Maesteg made history earlier this season when he became the first player born in the noughties to play – and score – for the Ospreys, when he made a try scoring first team debut as a replacement in the 27-0 Challenge Cup win over Pau at the Liberty Stadium in October.

His first start duly followed two weeks later, with another try, in the dramatic Guinness PRO14 win over Connacht at Morganstone Brewery Field. In total, he played eight times during his breakthrough season.

“I’m very happy to have signed with my home Region and I’m looking forward to pushing on and seeing what I can achieve” Morgan said.

“It’s about playing as much as I can, whether that’s with Bridgend or the Ospreys, it’s about pushing on and doing the best I can. It’s important I develop my skills as well. With me, as a scrum half, the basics of passing and kicking, I want to develop them and get them nailed on.

“The next few years for me are about developing as a player but, also, as a person, within this environment, becoming a real part of it.”

A Welsh speaker educated at YGG Llangynwwyd, Morgan played his club rugby at Bryncethin RFC before representing the Ospreys, and Wales, at age-grade level. He stepped up to the Welsh Premiership with Bridgend Ravens at the start of last season, aged just 17-years old, marking his debut with a brace of tries in a defeat of Llanelli.

Having featured for Wales U20 at last summer’s World Rugby Junior Championship in France, he is part of the squad currently preparing to set off to Argentina for this year’s tournament.

Dan Griffiths, Rugby General Manager at the Ospreys, said:

“We are delighted to see Harri commit his future to his home Region. As supporters have already seen this season, Harri is a bright young talent who has excelled through our development pathway and at national age grade levels. He has a real competitive edge, which has been evident in his senior involvements this season. 

“We want players like Harri to be a part of the Ospreys long term future. The challenge both for Harri, and the club, is to ensure we manage both his rugby development and expectations appropriately. The support of our staff, hard work and perseverance will hopefully enable him to flourish and fulfill his clear potential.”

Seven senior players have already re-signed for the Ospreys next season with Cory Allen, Dan Evans, Luke Morgan, Scott Otten, Luke Price, Nicky Smith and Gareth Thomas all secured for 2018/19 and beyond.

In addition, Wales outside half, Gareth Anscombe, has signed and current Scotland U20 and former Worcester Head Coach, Carl Hogg, has been confirmed as Forwards Coach from next season.