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When Steve Tandy names his Wales squad for the summer in the coming days, there’s a decent chance it could be an extended one.
It’s a long summer for Wales, with four matches in four successive weekends across June and July. Four different cities, three different continents.
With the domestic season barely finishing before their first match against the Barbarians, you’d imagine Tandy will want a few extra bodies around the place before he whittles down the squad that steps on a place to San Juan and Durban.
As such, there could be a few uncapped players, a few left-field choices.
Perhaps, just perhaps, there might be a call-up for a player who has been waiting longer than most.
Morgan Morris has perhaps been the unluckiest player in Wales in recent seasons.
There was a time when Morris couldn’t help but pick up man of the match awards.
The Ospreys‘ player of the season trophy also enjoyed a permanent residence at Chez Morris for a few seasons, as well.
Yet, for whatever reason, Warren Gatland never quite fancied taking a look at the powerful No. 8.
Those who had worked with Gatland closely understood the reason why. One former experienced international told WalesOnline some time ago that there’s some players you can tell, as players, won’t make that step up to the international game.
Morris was given as an example.
A former team-mate of Morris’ even suggested he put a 2.5kg plate in his boxers before weighing himself in the morning, just to boost his numbers in a bid to convince Gatland.
Sometimes, it also felt as if the louder the clamour was for a player, the more likely Gatland was to dig his heels in. Josh Navidi was consistently Cardiff’s best player year after year, yet four years went by between his first and second cap.
The irony now is that, after what Morris would call his “toughest” season, the noise around a call-up has died down.
Yet those close to him remain convinced he is worthy of a place in Wales’ squad.
Two of his coaches, Mark Jones and Rich Kelly, have called for his inclusion in Wales’ summer squad. It would mean quite a lot to all at the Ospreys were Morris to get the nod.
“Morgs has been brilliant this year,” admits his team-mate, Jac Morgan. Like Morris, Morgan was once deemed too small by Wales.
“He’s had a little bit of bad luck with injuries this year,” he added.
“But you can tell from the games he’s played, how effective he is as a ball carrier. He’s a big threat, he’s so, so strong and hard to bring down.
“In defence and the contact area as well, he’s got a great game. It’d be great for him to have that opportunity.
“His performances have been great. I love playing with him. He’s brilliant.”
Aaron Wainwright is Wales’ first-choice No. 8. But with Taulupe Faletau injured, there’s perhaps a gap for Morris should Tandy want to take a look.
Having missed the first part of the season through injury, the 27-year-old has been a mainstay for the Ospreys since December.
Earlier this year, his head coach Jones described him as a “unique” player, given how he carries.
Gatland never seemed to care for that. Perhaps, having already got more value out of the likes of Rhys Carre than Gatland ever did, Tandy might decide he can get a tune out of Morris at Test level.
In the coming days, we’ll soon find out if that’s the case.
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