'Scary and brilliant at the same time, but maybe not for England': Dan Robson

Former England scrum-half Dan Robson predicts that world-class Jac Morgan is going to become an even better player after switching to Gloucester and expects the livewire flanker to spearhead a Welsh Test revival ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup and a titanic pool clash with England in Australia.

When Wales beat Japan 31-22 in July last year, it ended their record 18-match losing run and delivered a first Test victory in almost two years, a drought that had only added to the gloom surrounding the sport in the country. One of the few bright spots during that dreadful run of defeats was the individual performances of British & Irish Lions flanker Morgan as a foraging openside in an all-too-familiar losing cause, but there are signs of better times ahead with key Wales players impressing in English club rugby. Japan are the opponents for Wales again this weekend as the Nations Championship restarts, followed by New Zealand and Australia.

It surprised no one that Morgan was nominated for the Gallagher PREM Player of the Month for October after a series of performances for Gloucester that showcased his skills. Robson and Morgan joined Gloucester this season, with the flanker arriving from Ospreys and the scrum-half leaving Pau to rejoin his former club.

The pair had never played together, and Robson has been mightily impressed with Morgan’s skill set and work ethic. He told RugbyPass: “Jac is going to keep getting better, which is scary and brilliant at the same time, but maybe not for England. Seeing him steal ball and also get over the gain line as a carrier has really made me look at Jac and think, ‘Jeez, this guy has got it all.’

“Every day he comes into training and wants to get better and pick your brain, and the more exposure and consistent game time he gets, the better and better he is going to become. It will be great to see.

“Jac has been outstanding this season and while I knew he was a world-class player who had captained Wales and played for the Lions, I didn’t have any experience of playing with him. We all know how good over the ball Jac is, but what has been so impressive is his ball-carrying and all-round skills, which have given us a different dimension to our attacking game.”

Morgan and fellow Wales captain Dewi Lake arrived at Gloucester from Ospreys having proved their Test pedigree despite operating in a misfiring Welsh team bedevilled by constant criticism of the Welsh Rugby Union’s plans to axe one of the four regional teams. The duo are part of a 14-strong group of Welsh players operating in the English PREM who are preparing for the Nations Championship matches.

Robson added: “The PREM is such a competitive league with the resurgence of Newcastle Red Bulls and every week is a massive test. It’s exciting and, coupled with the standard of training, as a player you are only going to get better and it will give the Welsh team a massive lift.

“It will also give a boost to the individual players and all those around them in the Wales team and will give them real confidence going into the Nations Championship.”

Robson spent four years at Pau trying to stop his former Wasps team-mate Jack Willis causing mayhem at the breakdown for Toulouse in the Top 14, and that is why he is delighted to have Morgan on his side for Gloucester this season. Both players arrived at Kingsholm as part of a squad overhaul that has powered the club into second place in the Gallagher PREM and an Investec Champions Cup 36-36 pool draw with Bordeaux, the reigning champions.

So how does Robson think Morgan compares with Willis as a breakdown expert?

“When Pau played against Jack at Toulouse you had to change things in your game plan to target him and it can be very disruptive. Those really good jacklers know when to go at the ball and it’s not at every ruck.

“The best in the business are really smart about when they go in and steal the ball and I think it is a super strength of both Jack and Jac. It would be brilliant if opposition teams are looking at Jac the same way that French clubs look at Jack Willis.

“If you look at Jac, he is more of a traditional size for a No. 7, quite short and gets over the ball and is a bit of a rock, while Jack is taller but incredibly flexible.

“That plays an important part in how quick he can get from high to low and means he can get into any stance and be super strong over the ball. Jack knows that he doesn’t need to be in the perfect position because he can get over the ball being so flexible and strong with that solid base.

“They are both absolutely world-class and it would be really exciting to see them go at each other if we can get to the latter stages of the Champions Cup.”

Having returned to Gloucester, Robson has been impressed with the way the club has upgraded its facilities, including offering the kind of quality food that helps him get over the fact he can no longer pop down to the local bakery in Pau for his breakfast croissants.

“It has been great and the club has changed a lot over the last 10 years, with very different facilities, and it’s been fantastic to be back here and living in the city with my family.

“We bought a house here and are doing a bit of a renovation job at the moment, and my wife’s family live around Cheltenham and it’s great to have that support so close after being in France. The Shed hasn’t changed and it’s nice to be back on their side after coming here with Wasps for a couple of years.

“Pau is something I will look back on with massive fondness and it was a choice we made after Wasps went under. I learnt a lot about myself and the game playing in Pau and it showed you can play differently and get the same results.

“The Top 14 is so competitive and I don’t think you really understand that and how passionate the fans are until you actually experience it. To be part of a growing team at Pau was incredible and when I left we were unbeaten at home and it was a pretty cool experience.”