None of his returns will have tasted as sweet as when Grand Slam chasing coach Mike Ruddock handed him his first Test start since the 2003 Rugby World Cup when club-mate Hal Luscombe was ruled unfit.
“These days I usually just get socks or something like that for my birthday so this was the best gift I could have asked for,” said Morgan, who will win his thirtieth cap after winning his first eight years ago. “It’s been a long time since I started against Italy in Australia. With one thing or another it has been a while that I haven’t been picked. That’s obviously frustrating.
“I have never given up. I’ve worked hard during the summer after missing the Wales tour and I’ve managed to get a long run of games under my belt.
“I shouldn’t say that as I’m probably tempting fate, but I feel good and I’m ready to step in and make my mark.”
Morgan has been forced to wait for a full return given Wales’s stunning start to the RBS Six Nations having come off the bench in both of their victories over England and Italy. He reckons his conversion from full-back to wing at the Dragons, due to the presence of Springbok star Percy Montgomery, boosted his chances.
“At first I wasn’t that happy about it, but I just had to get on with it and it has probably given me a chance to show I am more versatile than perhaps people thought. I’m sure it helped me to get selected.
“It’s great to step into a winning team. I’ve been involved with previous Wales teams that have really struggled but this side is firing on all cylinders.
“I don’t think I’ve been part of a Wales squad that backs itself as much as this one. That’s a great environment to walk into.”
Morgan is one of only two changes to the Wales side that beat Italy 38-8 in Rome with Ryan Jones replacing Jonathan Thomas as blindside flanker.
“He’s such a great player that we won’t be that upset if he isn’t fit. It will be a huge test for our guys if he does. I’m always impressed not only by his skill but also his bravery to the cause.”
