Morris Back In International Fold

Darren Morris has been handed the chance to make a stunning international comeback after being named in the injury-hit Wales squad for this summer’s tour.
But there was not such good news for fellow British Lion Martyn Williams has been told to stay home pile on the pounds in the gym.
It is almost three years since Morris was axed by Graham Henry soon after the 2001 Lions tour amid criticism over his weight and was shunned by Steve Hansen.
But now new coach Mike Ruddock has turned to the 15-times capped prop to beef up the creaking Welsh scrum on the three-Test tour to Argentina and South Africa.
“I had no reservations at all about picking Darren, there’s no doubt he had work to do but he has done that at Leicester,” said Ruddock.
“He has been scrummaging superbly for them and that’s exactly the job I will be asking him to do, especially in Argentina, as it’s an area we need to improve.”
Morris’ international career appeared to have his the rocks when he was branded a heavyweight flop after his weight ballooned to almost 21-stone.
But following last summer’s move to Leicester he has shed two-stone in his battle to return to the form that saw him rated as one of the best props in the world.
“The move to Leicester has been the best decision of my life, it’s a hard-nosed place to train and that suited me,” said 29-year-old Morris.
“I knew I had to leave Wales as I just felt I was banging my head against a brick wall.
“Some of the criticism which was fair to a point but I think others just jumped on the bandwagon. With Steve (Hansen) there always seemed to be something else.
“I never gave up hope of playing again for Wales, not until the day I retire, but this still came as a great surprise. Now I just want to play my part.”
Meanwhile former Wales skipper Williams, dropped time and again by Hansen, will stay home to “spend a summer in the gym” in a bid to bulk up.
Ruddock said; “It’s something that the management felt he needed to do now in order to extend his international career.”