In a sparkling account from Munich in 1972, the swimming correspondent for The Irish Times memorably informed his readers: “Ireland triumphed in the Olympic pool yesterday. Nobody drowned.”
Just as Welsh rugby enjoyed a success at Alun Wyn Jones’ press conference this week. The roof didn’t fall in. Indeed, Jones spoke with authority and eloquence, like the leader he is (read the full transcript here).
But what a week it’s been. For sure, there hasn’t been too much for anyone in Welsh rugby to be optimistic about.
And yet there was a tiny glimmer of light amid the gloom at Scotstoun last weekend. A young player produced a display of remarkable maturity amid a dire team performance from Wales in the U20 Six Nations.
Morgan Morse is only 18 and still in school at Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera, but he shone like a beacon in the 18-17 defeat by Scotland, piling up 17 tackles and missing just one, making 61 metres from five carries, scoring a try and achieving two turnovers. He seemed everywhere at once, and a few more places besides.
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On a night when there wasn’t too much else for Wales U20s head coach Byron Hayward to enthuse about, he offered up some positive words about the 6ft 1in, 16st 6lb prospect who can operate across the back row.
“Morgan Morse is an exceptional player,” said Hayward. “I knew that before the Scotland game. He’s a massive player of the future for Wales and for Wales 20s at the moment. He’s only just turned 18. He did well against Scotland.”
The youngster who looked up to Sam Warburton when he started playing the sport is game-aware and packs strength, pace and courage. Against Scotland he was manhandling bigger opposition forwards and breaking tackles.
He may be young but he is already in the transition group at the Ospreys, the stepping stone into senior rugby at the region.
His try last week came from a short-range scrum, with Morse shooting off the set-piece with the eagerness of a commuter hurrying for a train, knocking aside those in his way.
A yellow card may have been a blot on his overall effort, but he is a young player who has the potential to go far.
Hayward now faces the task of coaxing an improved performance from his side for the game with England next weekend. He will know they can’t play much worse than they performed against the Scots.
“We played poorly,” he acknowledged. “It’s sad because these boys have a lot more potential than they showed. Twenty-one penalties killed us. We weren’t tactically smart in the first half and our discipline killed us. We spent 13 minutes with just 14 men and 10 minutes with 13 away from home in an international game. That’s obviously going to take its toll because the other boys are working overtime, then, to make up for the boys who are off the field.
“It’s just unacceptable for this level of rugby. You have to say it as it is sometimes. You can’t dress it up or sugar-coat it. It’s not acceptable for this level.”
But amid the mediocrity, Morse stood out. He looks like a player Welsh rugby will be hearing much more about.
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