A new Welsh youngster is set to be unleashed on the Gallagher PREM
Evan Morris of Bristol Bears (Image: David Rogers/Getty Images)
This season both Steve Tandy and Wales U20s head coach Richard Whiffin will be keeping a close eye on every Welsh-qualified player based across the Severn Bridge.
One player who will be of particular interest to Whiffin is 18-year-old Bristol Bears speedster Evan Morris, who can play on the wing and at full-back. Morris is a product of South Gower RFC but after taking up a scholarship at the prestigious Millfield School is a member of the Bristol Bears senior academy and big things are expected of the youngster.
The teenager made his senior debut alongside Louis Rees-Zammit as a replacement in Bristol’s 40-24 victory over Gloucester in the Premiership Cup at Kingsholm on Friday night.
Morris is one for the future but those in the know are confident he will get some game-time in the senior Bears side this season and the 18-year-old is confident he can make a big impression.
“My ability to beat defenders is the big thing,” he tells WalesOnline.
“I pride myself on always beating the first man and creating space when there’s not a lot of space and creating ground where there’s not a lot on.
“I’d like to call myself quite exciting to watch.
“The aerial game is definitely a strength of my game as well because I can jump very high.
“Growing up I used to watch a lot of Christian Cullen clips, while I’m also a big fan of Liam Williams and his aerial ability is something I’ve looked to emulate.” Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Morris has bags of pace and is deceptively strong, and he is also a very dangerous broken-field runner.
Bristol is home to a number of Welsh youngsters, with Wales U20s tighthead Sam Scott and wing Aidan Boshoff two of many coming up through the ranks at Ashton Gate.
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Morris was originally part of the Ospreys academy set-up before deciding to go outside of his comfort zone by heading to Millfield – the famous rugby school where the likes of Gareth Edwards also went.
It is a move which has paid off, with Morris now training with the senior Bears side working under their world-class director of rugby Pat Lam.
“I did a season with the Ospreys while at Millfield but it didn’t really work out because I was missing two or three days of school in the bloc,” he said.
“So, I took the opportunity to join the Bears academy.
“Going to Millfield and being in the Bears academy was awesome, while my rugby has come on leaps and bounds.
“We won at Rosslyn Park in my first year but they created a balance between work and rugby.
“It wasn’t all about rugby when you were there which was good.
“I was originally sticking with the Ospreys but it was such a good opportunity for the life experience you get going away to school.
“I knew how much players had developed since going away to school.
“We know Ieuan Davies from back home who developed a lot from going to Millfield.
“It was such a good opportunity that I couldn’t turn down.” Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
Morris’ senior debut couldn’t have come in a more hostile environment in front of a bumper crowd in what turned out to be a spicy affair against West Country rivals Gloucester.
“When you are going into the senior environment you have to adapt quickly,” he said.
“You have to remember defences are far stronger and better connected at senior level.
“You’ve got to find new ways to beat defenders.
“The coaches have been really helpful in making the transition easier. I was nervous ahead of my first training session with the senior squad but it is such a welcoming club.
“It was tough because you don’t really know what to expect going from an U18s to senior level.
“Everyone has got incredible skills and stuff.
“The first thing we did was a bronco which was a tough introduction.
“The back-three players have taken me under their wing, especially Rich Lane.
“It was my first time playing in front of a big crowd, so it was pretty nerve-racking when they tell you you have to come on.
“It was an unbelievable experience. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
“Just to take the field with someone like Louis Rees-Zammit and Harry Randall to name a few.
“I had a couple of nice touches and felt comfortable.”
Morris has plenty of time on his side but has big ambitions this season with both Bristol and Wales U20s.
“The target is to play for Bristol as much as possible,” he tells WalesOnline.
“Of course there is a ton of competition in the back-three from Louis Rees-Zammit, Gabriel Ibitoye and Kalaveti Ravouvou to name but a few.
“I want to keep improving as a player whether that’s at Bristol or a loan club in the Championship or Nat One.
“One of my big targets is also to play for Wales U20s this season.
“Richard Whiffin messaged me before the game on Friday to wish me good luck.
“We joke it’s the fifth region with the Bristol Academy because there seems to be more Welsh boys than English boys at the moment!”
Morris is one of a significant number of Welsh-qualified players in England and is certainly one worth getting excited about.