Paul Morgan (3 October 1974 – 12 January 2015) was a Welsh professional rugby union and rugby league footballer, rugby union

coach Coach may refer to: Guidance/instruction * Coach (sport), a director of athletes' training and activities * Coaching, the practice of guiding an individual through a process ** Acting coach, a teacher who trains performers Transportation * Co ...

and

cricket Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which is a pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two bails balanced on three stumps. The batting side scores runs by striki ...

er, born in

Pencoed Pencoed ( cy, Pen-coed) is a urbanised community and town in the county borough of Bridgend, Wales. It straddles the M4 motorway north east of Bridgend and is situated on the Ewenny River. At the 2011 census it had a population of around 9,166. ...

. He played club level rugby union (RU) for

Pencoed RFC Pencoed Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team based in Pencoed. Today, Pencoed RFC plays in the Welsh Rugby Union, Division Two West League and is a feeder club for the Ospreys. The team badge consists of a shield containing the lamb ...

(two spells),

London Welsh RFC London Welsh Rugby Football Club ( cy, Clwb Rygbi Cymry Llundain) was a rugby union club formed in 1885. Based in Old Deer Park, Richmond-upon-Thames, London Welsh RFC played in the English Premiership in the 2012–13 and 2014–15 seasons, ...

(while at Brunel University), Whitland RFC, Aberavon RFC (two spells), Llanharan RFC, Bridgend Ravens, Maesteg RFC, as a Centre, i.e. number 12 or 13, representative level rugby league (RL) for Wales ( Heritage № 432), and at club level for Aberavon Fighting Irish, Bridgend Blue Bulls (two spells), Celtic Crusaders, as a , or , i.e. number 2 or 5, or, 3 or 4, coached club level rugby union (RU) for Neath Athletic RFC

and

Aberavon Quins RFC Aberavon Harlequins RFC (nicknamed "The Mighty Quins") is a Welsh rugby union team located in the Fairfield area of Port Talbot, a few minutes away from the town centre and Aberavon. In 1955, the team gained membership of the Welsh Rugby Unio ...

. and played

for Pencoed Cricket Club

(

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...

Background

Paul Morgan was born in

, Bridgend, Wales, he was the Executive Director at All Sports Protection, having been a Sports Risk Consultant at brightsidegroup, National Manager at April-UK Sports Division, Director at Morgans Health & Fitness Centre, and Gyms Co-ordinator at

Bridgend County Borough Council Bridgend County Borough Council ( cy, Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr) is the governing body for Bridgend County Borough, one of the Principal Areas of Wales. History Bridgend County Borough and Bridgend County Borough Council came ...

, he was survived by spouse Heidi and offspring Tyler, Harry, and Madison.

Playing career

International honours

Paul Morgan won caps for Wales (RL) while with Bridgend Blue Bulls in the

2005 European Nations Cup The 2005 European Nations Cup saw France national rugby league team, France secure their first win over Wales national rugby league team, Wales in 24 years, winning 38–16 and taking the Rugby League European Cup, European Nations Cup back to Fra ...

against Ireland ( interchange/ substitute), and France ( interchange/ substitute).

Club career

Paul Morgan made his début for Aberavon RFC, and scored two tries, against

Walsall RFC Walsall Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union team based in Walsall in the West Midlands, playing home games at the Broadway Ground, Delves Road. The club operates four senior men's teams, a colts side as well as a full range of junior ...

Talbot Athletic Ground The Talbot Athletic Ground is a sports stadium located in central Port Talbot, Wales, with a maximum capacity of 8,000. The ground is home to Welsh rugby union team Aberavon RFC, and the Wales women's national team. History Originally called the ...

on Sunday 20 August 2000, his last match for Aberavon RFC was against Neath RFC at

The Gnoll The Gnoll ( cy, Y Gnol) in Neath, Wales is a sports ground, with a capacity of 6,000 (formerly 15,000). It is used primarily for rugby union and rugby league, although it has also been used previously for association football and cricket. The stad ...

on Wednesday 15 September 2004, he scored three tries for Bridgend Blue Bulls in the 60–10 victory over

Leeds Akkies Leeds Akkies are a rugby league team based in The Old Modernians Sports Club, Cookridge Lane, Leeds, LS16 7ND, West Yorkshire. They play in the Yorkshire Regional division of the Rugby League Conference, their A side plays in the Yorkshire & Hu ...

in the 2005 Harry Jepson Trophy at

Brewery Field Dunraven Brewery Field ( cy, Cae'r Bragdy Dunraven) is an 8,000 (1,100 seated) capacity sports stadium in Bridgend, Wales. It is the home ground of the rugby union team Bridgend Ravens. Bridgend Athletic RFC often use the ground for their ho ...

on Sunday 28 August 2005.

Later life

He died On 12 January 2015 aged 40.

References

External links

Ireland v Wales (Sat)Premier Wales R13 round-upDuggan dominates Crusaders awardsFrance 38–16 WalesRugby League international Paul Morgan dies after short illness
{{DEFAULTSORT:Morgan, Paul 1974 births 2015 deaths Aberavon RFC players Alumni of Brunel University London Bridgend Blue Bulls players Bridgend RFC players Crusaders Rugby League players Footballers who switched code Llanharan RFC players London Welsh RFC players Maesteg RFC players Neath Port Talbot Steelers players Place of death missing Rugby league centres Rugby league players from Bridgend County Borough Rugby league wingers Rugby union centres Rugby union players from Bridgend County Borough Wales national rugby league team players Welsh rugby league players Welsh rugby union players