The list of players capped just once by Wales is both long and distinguished, containing names such as David Bishop, Ray ‘Chico’ Hopkins, Phil Pugh and Clive Shell.
Hopkins and Shell saw their ambitions checked by the brilliance of Gareth Edwards, Bishop by the whims of selectors and Pugh, Welsh rugby’s very own white shark, perhaps by injuries at the wrong time.
All were superb players.
Indeed, Neath’s late team boss Brian Thomas rated Bishop in his pomp as the best rugby player in the northern hemisphere, full stop. Hopkins was Welsh rugby’s player of the year in 1970, with Edwards and Barry John taking the accolade either side of him.
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Luke Morgan is in good company, then.
His solitary cap came against Scotland in 2018.
It probably didn’t go as would have hoped.
Morgan didn’t receive a pass until the 65th minute. He had put in a couple of tackles and caught one high ball, but opportunities to showcase his attacking qualities were non-existent. His personal frustration that day must have been profound.
Some have said he should have gone searching for ball as the match unfolded.
But what if he’d left his post on debut and Scotland had taken advantage with a sudden counter or raid down his wing?
Explaining that one away to Mr Gatland in the changing room later wouldn’t have been much fun.
No, the safer bet was to bide his time and hope possession would eventually come his way. It did, but only twice in his 79 minutes on the field and then he had less space in which to manoeuvre than a super-heavyweight weightlifter might find in a telephone box.
But Morgan has never moaned about the events of that day and never complained about not having another chance since. You can read about the impressive way he responded here.
Last term was his best campaign since he won his cap. He started 16 games for the Ospreys and was arguably their first-choice wing, ending the season with an exceptional personal display against the Bulls in Swansea.
He picked up where he left off with a try in the opening friendly of the summer, against Hartpury University over the weekend, and hasn’t given up hope of featuring again for Wales. “That’s always your aim in a professional environment, to play at the very highest level you can,” he said afterwards.
“Wales would be brilliant if I could get back in there. It would be lovely to have a game there.
“But at the moment I’m just concentrating on getting that starting jersey for the Ospreys, playing some matches and taking it step by step.
“I had a good run of games last year, so it was nice to have the starting jersey. It’s good to see where the team’s going as well. We’re having a good platform to play off and made some good signings last year. We want to take that into this season now. Do that and we can have a good campaign.”
Morgan’s touchdown against Hartpury saw him take a pass around 10 metres inside the opposition half and break through two tackles to score. He crossed the opposition try line six times last term, taking his tally to 16 all told for the region, but he sees rugby as a team game and hails those who create chances for him. “People see the tries, but what happens inside is important as well, the people making those opportunities for you to have those 40-metre run-ins.”
It wasn't a run-in last weekend, but we'll let modesty have its way.
Let's rewind to the game with the Bulls in May, which was arguably his finest in an Ospreys shirt.
Without him that night, the Ospreys would not have picked up the two bonus points they secured to pip the Scarlets to the Welsh Shield and a place in this term’s Heineken Champions Cup.
With the South Africans bristling with pace and physicality, the Welsh region were under the cosh for much of the game.
But Morgan came up with an expert finish to latch onto a manufactured kick to the corner, then in the final seconds the left wing plucked a South African pass out of the air to race 60 metres for the score that ultimately secured his team their spot in top-tier European rugby. He also came close to denying Cornal Hendricks his hat-trick try with a superlative last-ditch tackle attempt at the flag.
This term, the Swansea.com Stadium region have on their list of goals a place in the United Rugby Championship playoffs. “We just missed out last season but we managed to finish top of the Welsh league and now we want to push to get in those knockout games and pick up some silverware,” said Morgan.
“We came out on the wrong side of the scoreboard in some very close matches last term. That’s how tight it is at the top level. You miss out on one or two games and find yourself missing out on the playoffs.”
A second Wales cap may have eluded him since his first in November 2018, but just appearing once on the field at Test level is an experience like no other. Telling WalesOnline how he felt ahead of the game with Australia in 1984, Bishop said: “You put that shirt over your head, you let it slide down your back and you just think: ‘Hey, I’m representing my country today’.’
“There is no feeling like it in the world.
“Throughout the whole of the national anthem before the Wallaby clash, I cried.”
Morgan may well have felt similar emotion.
But he still has a chance to add to his lone cap so far.
It won’t be easy given the options Wales have in the back three, but the lightning-quick sevens expert will not fail for lack of trying.
Keep an eye on him this season.
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