Morgan, who qualified to play for Wales through residency but opted to represent the country of his birth, is all set to step into Billy Vunipola’s shoes after the Saracens star was ruled out of the Round 4 clash with an ankle injury.
And, while Stuart Lancaster has admitted that losing Vunipola is a big blow, the England head coach is convinced Morgan will prove a more than able replacement against a number of his old team-mates on March 9.
“Ben is a dead cert like for-like replacement and has the ability to achieve the same kind of ball handling impact,” Lancaster said at today’s England press briefing.
“He played really well in a couple of Premiership games just before the Six Nations and he took confidence out of that. On the back of that, I think his appearances off the bench for us have been strong. He’s playing with confidence again now.”
Morgan has come on as a replacement in all three of England’s RBS 6 Nations fixtures so far but he hasn’t started for Lancaster’s side since the summer tour of Argentina. The 25-year-old missed out on a place in the starting line up to Vunipola when England played New Zealand, Australia and Argentina in the autumn and his rival’s domestic displays have since seen him remain on the back foot ever since.
But the Gloucester No8 has been in fine form of late and Lancaster believes he is nearing the form that saw him make such a big impact on the international scene when he made his debut as a Scarlets player in early 2012.
“Ben’s form picked up after the autumn internationals and he went back to his club and worked really hard,” added Lancaster. “He has continued that work in the gym and is in good shape. He has made a real impact for us.
“I know he has been itching for an opportunity and sometimes they happen for you. It’s been created for him and I’m sure he’ll be ready for it.”
