Today's rugby news as Wales star comes 'full circle' and Jac Morgan gets new high-profile admirer
These are your rugby morning headlines for Sunday, July 13.
Jac Morgan of the Lions thanks his fans after the tour match
(Image:)
Here are your rugby morning headlines for Sunday, July 13.
Wales debutant hails 'full circle' moment
New Wales debutant Keelan Giles says it was a long time coming, as he came 'full circle' - making his debut against Japan nine years after being denied a first cap against the same opposition.
The Ospreys wing had been named on the bench against the Brave Blossoms as an 18-year-old back in 2016, but didn't get on in Cardiff that day.
Since then, injuries have kept him from getting his hands on a Wales cap - but after a lengthy wait, he finally achieved it after getting on for the second half of Wales' 31-22 win over Japan in Kobe.
That victory was made even sweeter for Giles given it ended an 18-Test losing run for Wales. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
"It's a massive day, a special day for me and my family," he said afterwards. "They made the trip over, which made it extra special.
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"It's unbelievable. It's been a long time coming.
"It's almost like a full-circle moment, playing against Japan and being on the bench nine years ago against Japan and not getting on. So it's extra special and a special feeling."
Wales captain Dewi Lake spoke after the victory at Noevir Stadium about how this long-awaited victory should be a springboard to better things.
"It's huge," said the hooker. "As Jockey spoke about, everyone's worked hard over the last four games but especially over the last five weeks.
"So the confidence this will hopefully breed within this group will be huge for us moving forward. Just a massive thank you to the coaches, Jockey, that have built that confidence over the last five weeks and allowed us to express ourselves on the field.
"That's been a massive help."
Former All Black coach praises Jac Morgan
Wales openside Jac Morgan has gained another high-profile admirer as he bids to win a place in Andy Farrell's British and Irish Lions Test team - with former All Blacks coach Ian Foster singing the 25-year-old's praises.
Morgan played the full 80 minutes on Saturday against the AUNZ Invitational side in Adelaide - perhaps suggesting that he's not in line to start next week against the Wallabies in Brisbane.
Competition for the seven jersey is fierce, with Tom Curry and Josh van der Flier both in the mix. But Foster, who was part of the AUNZ Invitational side's coaching team, picked out the Welshman as the Lion he was most impressed by on Saturday.
"You can't help but be impressed with Morgan at the moment," he said. "He's going good as a loosie (loose forward).
"There'll be a lot of consideration about that loose forward trio, but they're mobile, they're skilful and he is a tough player.
"Look, he just works hard. You could see that we were a bit short in some of our connections at the breakdown on early phases a couple of times and he made a bit of a meal of that. He's good in that space, but he had great support too."
Farrell muted on Farrell Jr
The 48-0 win over the AUNZ Invitational side also saw Owen Farrell make his first appearance for the Lions on this tour after being a late call-up to replace the injured Elliot Daly.
The decision by Andy Farrell to call up his son, despite an injury-hit season in France, has not gone down well with everyone.
But the former England captain showed his worth off the bench, with a strong cameo that might just have moved him into the matchday squad for the Tests.
However, afterwards, Farrell Sr played down his son's performance.
"He did OK, he did OK, as did many others," he said.
"There were some great individual performances, wasn't there? But I suppose those individual performances gelled together as a collective."
Ford proud of the boys
By PA Sport Staff
England captain George Ford said he was 'proud of the boys' after a last-gasp 22-17 victory over Argentina in San Juan sealed a 2-0 Test series win.
Replacement scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet went over in the final minute with the score locked at 17-17 following Guy Pepper's brilliant blind-side break as England followed up last week's 35-12 win in La Plata in style.
Ford, who made his 101st Test appearance for England, said: 'We found a way in the end. We had a lot of opportunities in the 22, but couldn't get over the line.
'I'm proud of the boys. I like our fight, our togetherness, showing how much we care.
'There was some great stuff, we should have scored more tries but the attitude of the group is great.'
Both sides scored two tries in the first half, with Argentina twice hitting back through centre Lucio Cinti and wing Ignacio Mendy after touchdowns from England pair Seb Atkinson and Freddie Steward.
In a fast and furious encounter at the Bicentenary Stadium, Santiago Carreras' first-half penalty had edged Argentina into a 17-14 interval lead, with George Ford's penalty in the second period hauling England level before Van Poortvliet's thrilling late effort.
Argentina captain Julian Montoya said his side paid the price for their ill-discipline.
He said: 'We were not good enough, we have to be honest with ourselves. I am sorry we couldn't get the win, we gave away too many penalties.'
England forward Ben Curry was sent to the sin-bin for his high tackle on Pablo Matera in the 20th minute and Argentina made their advantage count as Cinti went over for their opening try.
Argentina were reduced to 14 men in the second half when number eight Matera received a yellow card just before the hour for killing the ball at a maul just yards from his try line.
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Two tiring teams maintained their ferocious battle – almost entirely in Argentina's half – as the game headed into the final 10 minutes.
But with the clock ticking down, replacement flanker Pepper stole clear from a maul and after charging down the blind side he turned inside to send the supporting Van Poortvliet over for the decisive score.
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