But his biggest test still lies ahead of him as he attempts to turn his hand to playing in a new position at the Six Nations U20 tournament in Italy. Usually a No 8 or blindside flanker, Wales U20 coach Byron Hayward wants to convert Morse into a No 7.
He got a few minutes at the end of the convincing, opening day win for Wales over Scotland at the weekend, but is now poised to get his shot at playing in the same position as one of his childhood heroes, Sam Warburton, against either Georgia or Italy.
The 6ft 1in tall, 16st 6lbs Morse has been a stand-out player since he was 14. He played up a year in the Dewar Shield and at 17 is the youngest player in the current Wales U20 squad.
Morgan Morse in training with Wales U20
“It was a big step from schoolboy rugby into the U20s. I’d been used to playing against players my own age, but I found there was a lot more technical stuff I had learn when I stepped up,” said Morse.
“It has been good for my development and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I’ve earned praise for my performances over a couple of years, but I’m just focusing on where I want to get to.
“I want to go to the top of the game. I want to be a professional player and my dream has always been to play for the Lions.”
He made a great start on the road to stardom by playing three times in the Six Nations at the start of the year and picked up a try in the win over Scotland on debut. He also came on against the Scots last weekend and scored again with a front-of-the-line out peel.
“I’ve learned a lot about the technical side of the game being in the U20 environment, especially around the set piece. In my own age group I tend to take a lot of myself, but at this level you have to be able to do everything well and to fit into the team patterns,” added Morse.
“I’ve been told I’m going to Italy as a No 7 and I’m looking forward to that because it is a new position for me. I haven’t played any games there. I will just bring what I do in a No8 jersey and keep on carrying.
“I started watching rugby from a young age and then I saw players like Sam Warburton playing for Wales. He is one of my heroes and he played in a similar position to me.”
Morse is awaiting his exam results, but knows he still faces another year at school before trying to pursue his dream of becoming a professional player. For the moment, at least, Geography, Welsh and PE are as important as the play-book for Wales U20, the Ospreys Academy and, looking ahead ot next season, Swansea in the Indigo Group Premiership.
He can also look forward to helping Ystalyfera defend their title at Principality Stadium if he can find the time to fit it all in.
Morgan Morse in action for Ysgol Ystalyfera in the U18 Schools final at Principality Stadium
“It was really good to play in a final at the Principality Stadium, especially as I was playing with the boys I had grown up with. We worked hard all year, had a tough run to the final and it was a great experience,” he said.
“I’ll get my exam results in August and then I’ve got another year to go at school. I was tough fitting everything in this year, but my family helped a lot in ensuring I stayed on track and was where I needed to be.
“I tried to stay organised and I prioritised my education and then made sure I could fit in the rugby. It was quite hard, especially in the lead up to exams.
“I want to be a professional player and I’ll be putting everything into achieving that goal. But I know that I have to have something to fall back on in my education if that doesn’t work.”
