Aled Davies may have left to join Saracens, but the Ospreys are well-blessed in the No 9 department with Wales and British & Irish Lions scrum half Rhys Webb back at the region for next season and backed up by South-African Shaun Venter.
Then come the talented trio of Morgan-Williams, his successor as Wales U20 scrum half, Harri Morgan, and former U18 cap Matthew Aubrey.
“It’s brilliant to have re-signed and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s been a tough two years for me with not getting regular game time, but now that I’ve re-signed I’m hoping I can make an impact, keep on building and see what comes,” said Morgan-Williams.
“I’m really looking forward to competing for that spot. Matthew Aubrey, Harri Morgan and myself have had that competition between us all the way through which is always good for us all.
“Rhys Webb was here in my first few seasons and Shaun Venter is a great player too and it’s a great opportunity to be able to learn from players like those.
“Short-term I’m looking forward to throwing my name in the ring and competing for the number nine jersey. Everyone’s goal is to one day play for your country, so that definitely still is a big aim for me.”
The 22-year-old Neath youngster signed his first professional contract with the Ospreys in January 2018 and has gone onto make 20 appearances for the region. He has scored five tries.
Educated at YGG Ystalyfera and Neath Port Talbot College, he came through the development pathway via Neath Athletic RFC. He represented the Ospreys at age-grade level, notably as part of the U18 team that won the 2015 WRU Championship.
On the international scene he has been involved with Wales U20 side across three separate seasons, enjoying Grand Slam success in 2016. He has also played for Wales on the Sevens stage, racking up 52 games and 11 tries in the World Series.
“My first year with the U20s was a great experience, winning the Grand Slam with a brilliant group of boys. It really developed my leadership skills being a part of that squad for those three seasons,” he added
“Sevens was brilliant, seeing the world and playing against and alongside some of the best athletes out there really helped me and has developed my all-round game.”
Having made his senior debut for Neath in the Premiership at the age of 17 in October, 2015, his senior Ospreys debut came on the opening weekend of the 2017/18 season when he came off the bench in the victory over Zebre at the Liberty Stadium. He made a number of appearances for Aberavon last season.
Morgan-Williams is the latest player to sign a new contract at the region, following on from hooker Sam Parry, centre Owen Watkin, locks Bradley Davies and Adam Beard, wing Keelan Giles, full back Cai Evans, props Tom Botha, Rhodri Jones and Ma’afu Fia and back row man Sam Cross.
They were joined by new signings scrum half Rhys Webb, fullback Mat Protheroe, prop Nicky Thomas and second row Rhys Davies.
“We’re fortunate to have exciting young talent at scrum-half, and Reuben is a player that definitely has an X-factor with his line breaking ability. He is a tremendous athlete, as he has displayed on both the World Sevens Series and in the PRO14 despite his limited opportunities,” said Dan Griffiths, Rugby General Manager at the Ospreys.
“The challenge for Reuben, as with any aspiring young player, is to stay patient and keep working on improving his game, both technically with his positional basics, and tactically by understanding his role, delivering the game plan, and giving players around him and the team clarity and direction.
“I know Reuben is focussed on making an impression, and looking to take the opportunities to learn and progress. He has the potential to be an exciting player for the club.”
