OSPREYS: ‘You never know if he’s excited or annoyed’: Jones backs Neath boy Morgan-Williams for his Wales chance

Mark Jones says Reuben Morgan-Williams has “definitely earned” his chance with Wales, after the scrum-half signed off with two tries against the Dragons.

The 28-year-old joins up with Steve Tandy’s squad this week, so he’ll miss Saturday’s visit of Cardiff to St Helen’s.

With Kieran Hardy injured, he is now the leading candidate to be Tomos Williams’ back-up in the Nations Championship.

‘A Neath boy who loves the badge’

Morgan-Williams was born in Neath and started out at Neath Athletic, before coming through the Ospreys academy and playing for Neath RFC.

“He is an Ospreys through and through, a Neath boy who loves the badge, loves coming to work and is so consistent,” Jones said.

“He’s definitely earned the opportunity. I love how honest he is around his work, and he always wants to get better.”

Jones admits he isn’t always the easiest to read. “He’s got that sort of dour face and you never know if he’s excited or annoyed! But he is always the same and consistent.”

Two tries in Storm Boelo at the rebuilt St Helen’s

He scored both of his tries in the first half of Saturday’s 31-14 win, the Ospreys’ first game at their new home.

Alongside fly-half Dan Edwards, who is also in the Wales squad, he steered the side around the pitch in the wind and rain.

Patience pays for Reuben Morgan-Williams, eight years after his first pro deal

Morgan-Williams went to YGG Ystalyfera, made his Neath debut at 17 and signed his first Ospreys contract in January 2018.

Game time didn’t come quickly. “It’s been a tough two years for me with not getting regular game time,” he said when he re-signed in 2020.

Even then, the Ospreys saw something. Then general manager Dan Griffiths called him “a tremendous athlete” with “an X-factor” in his line-breaking.

He won a Grand Slam with Wales Under-20s in 2016, and played four World Series events for Wales Sevens.

His senior debut finally came off the bench in Kobe in July 2025. It was the 31-22 win over Japan that ended Wales’ 18-match losing run.

All three of his caps have come as a replacement, and two of them were heavy defeats to South Africa. He was also named in the Six Nations squad this year without getting on.

Kieran Hardy’s injury opens the door

Ospreys team-mate Hardy is facing months out after knee surgery, following the derby win at Rodney Parade.

That leaves Morgan-Williams and uncapped Dragons scrum-half Che Hope behind Saracens’ Williams, who has 75 caps, in the Wales squad.

“Tomos is locked in at number one with Wales at the moment, but Reubs has done a class job for us,” Jones said.

“If he is called upon by Wales then he will do an awesome job. I couldn’t think of a better guy to be in that squad to help Wales.”

Japan first for Wales, Cardiff next for the Ospreys

Wales host Japan at Principality Stadium on Saturday, 7 November (4.40pm), then New Zealand on 14 November and Australia on 21 November.

The Ospreys host Cardiff at St Helen’s on Saturday, 31 October (7.45pm). Luke Davies was the replacement scrum-half against the Dragons.