In a tour where national pride rides on individual shoulders, Jac Morgan has stepped up in a way that’s turned heads across the rugby world.
The Welsh flanker, currently the only representative from his country on the British & Irish Lions tour, just reminded everyone why he’s not just here to make up the numbers.
Against the Queensland Reds, Morgan didn’t just put in a shift—he made a statement. A loud, undeniable one.
A Tackle Machine with a Point to Prove
It’s hard to pinpoint the exact number—depending on which post-match stat you believe, it was 18, 20, maybe even 21 tackles—but the message is clear: Morgan was everywhere.
Add in three turnovers and a powerful try, and you’ve got a performance that has forced Lions coach Andy Farrell to seriously take notice.
That kind of all-action display catapulted him straight into Test match contention, in arguably the most fiercely competitive spot in the squad: openside flanker.
Welsh Hope Rekindled
With Tomos Williams ruled out earlier in the week, Morgan has now become the last hope for Welsh fans desperate to see their flag represented meaningfully on this Lions tour.
And what a way to do it—he even bagged the Player of the Match title, nudging out the imperious Maro Itoje, who had his own monster performance.
Even Farrell couldn’t hide his admiration: “He was everywhere… aggressive in his carries, brilliant on the floor, quick.
He’ll be absolutely delighted with that,” the coach said after the match.
The Openside Conundrum
Here’s Farrell’s dilemma: there’s a logjam of elite No. 7s vying for a single Test jersey.
Josh van der Flier, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, and the breakout Henry Pollock—all big names with big reputations.
Jack Willis, widely regarded as Europe’s best openside, isn’t even in Australia because of club commitments.
And yet, Morgan’s performance has him right in the mix.
If the Lions go with a lineout-focused blindside like Tadhg Beirne or Ollie Chessum, and Conan at No. 8, then Morgan could be the ideal specialist to round out the trio.
A Welsh Warrior Through the Fire
Let’s not forget the context Morgan is coming from.
He’s been the lone bright light in one of the darkest stretches in recent Welsh rugby history—17 straight Test defeats, captain through most of them, and recently forced to front the media after a humiliating 68-14 loss to England.
Still, he keeps showing up. Keeps fighting. And now, he’s thriving.
Versatility vs. Specialism
Players like Curry and Earl offer positional flexibility.
Earl even slotted into the midfield during this tour.
That could help them make the bench. But Morgan? He’s a pure openside.
A specialist jackal. If he’s in the matchday squad, it’s got to be to start.
Pollock, meanwhile, is exciting but raw—his Western Force performance showed flashes of genius, but also moments of inexperience. At just 20, a bench role seems most likely.
A Quiet Leader with Test Match Credentials
If Farrell wants someone who can lead, anchor the breakdown, and do the hard, gritty stuff, Morgan’s got to be top of the shortlist.
He’s experienced adversity, handled pressure, and still turns up with top-tier performances.
Curry’s injury problems haven’t helped his case, and while Van der Flier is Mr. Reliable, right now Morgan looks like the form player.
Slow Starts Still a Concern
Outside of Morgan’s heroics, this was a sluggish Lions performance early on.
They led 21–12 at halftime, but the execution was messy—scrum issues, loose handling, and soft defensive errors.
Things improved after the break, but the early rust is becoming a trend.
A number of backs, like Duhan van der Merwe and Bundee Aki, are still working off the cobwebs from past injuries and limited prep time.
The Bigger Picture at the Back
The injury to Elliot Daly has left a gap at fullback, though Blair Kinghorn or Hugo Keenan should be able to slot in.
Gibson-Park and Finn Russell looked sharp together, so the creative spine seems solid.
Tommy Freeman continues to impress, keeping up his prolific scoring form, and Huw Jones is gradually finding his rhythm again.
The Road Ahead: Momentum Is Key
Next up? The Waratahs, Brumbies, and then the Australia-New Zealand invitational in Adelaide.
None of those teams should stop the Lions juggernaut, especially as some of them will be missing key Wallabies.
But the real test begins July 19. And thanks to Jac Morgan’s standout display, Wales may yet have a central role to play in the Lions’ latest chapter.