Breakout star Jac Morgan caps off a whirlwind 12 months by accepting the Welsh Rugby Writers award…

Jac Morgan joined a long list of Welsh greats and topped off a brilliant few days for him by being crowned Welsh Rugby Writers’ Association Men’s Player of the Year.

Last Saturday, Morgan captained his country at senior level for the first time in a World Cup warm-up against England and excelled with a man-of-the-match display in a 20-9 victory for his team. The 23-year-old’s promotion to skipper came on the back of an impressive 2022/23 campaign for which he was recognized by the Welsh rugby media.

Morgan was left out of Wales’ tour of South Africa by then head coach Wayne Pivac last summer, but he has responded impressively, both in international rugby and with his Ospreys region.

Past winners of the Men’s Player Award include Sir Gareth Edwards, Barry John, JPR Williams, Mervyn Davies, Phil Bennett, Terry Holmes, Jonathan Davies, Scott Gibbs, Ieuan Evans, Neil Jenkins, Rob Howley, Scott Quinnell, Gareth Thomas, Martyn Williams, Gethin Jenkins, Shane Williams, Sam Warburton, Leigh Halfpenny and Alun Wyn Jones.

“It’s a nice honor to have. It is awesome. I’m pretty happy with it,” Morgan said during an open training session in Wales at Principality Stadium on Monday.

Morgan has been touted as a leading contender to captain Wales at the upcoming World Cup in France, but coach Warren Gatland (left) has yet to make a decision

“It is an illustrious group of former and current players who have won the award. It means a lot to have it. Hopefully from now on we can start this season with all that is coming.

“I enjoyed last season.”

After his stellar performance against England, Morgan is the main contender to lead Wales permanently at the World Cup which starts in France next month.

He is unlikely to feature for Wales at Twickenham this weekend in the rematch with Steve Borthwick’s side.

Head coach Warren Gatland is about to appoint a totally different XV for the London trip as he takes his eye on Wales’ expanded World Cup training squad. Another inexperienced face in hooker Dewi Lake is about to take over the Wales captaincy from Morgan.

Dafydd Jenkins and Ryan Elias, who suffered knee and hamstring injuries in the first win over England, did not train at Principality Stadium on Monday.

Nor are Taulupe Faletau, Gareth Anscombe and Johnny Williams, meaning they are also unlikely to play at Twickenham.

No Welsh player has so far been banned from participating in the World Cup.

Wales go to the home of English rugby with a win and some confidence behind them after what has been a hugely disappointing Six Nations dominated by chaos on and off the pitch.

Morgan, 23, led Wales to a 20-9 win against England last weekend, but is unlikely to face the same opponents at Twickenham on Saturday as Gatland will name a completely different XV.

The Welsh Rugby Writers’ Association’s female player of the year was taken home by Women’s Six Nations star Sisilia Tuipulotu in April.

‘It means the world. This year has been a good year for me, especially in the rugby scene. I switched to a tighthead prop,” said Tuipulotu.

“A lot has happened, but I am thankful for everything that has happened so far. It’s been a good one.’

Sisilia Tuipulotu has been named player of the year by the Welsh Rugby Writers’ Association after starring in the Women’s Six Nations earlier this year

Tuipulotu is part of the Wales squad currently preparing for the inaugural WXV tournament to be held in New Zealand in October.

“We’re up against the best teams in the world, so it’s good for us to know where we stand. Hopefully it shows where we need to improve,” said Tuipulotu.

Tuipulotu has just returned from a summer holiday in her native Tonga in the run-up to the new season.

“I loved going back home. I almost didn’t come back! It was good to be in Tonga for a week before going back to work,” she said.

“The hard work begins now.”