Geography student part of winning London Welsh team promoted to Aviva Rugby Premiership
Hooker Nathan Morris started both games in the No2 jersey for London Welsh as they romped home to a 48-28 aggregate victory against Bristol Rugby Club over the two legs of the Green King IPA Championship final. Played out over two games, it was London Welsh who opened a sizable advantage with a 27-8 victory with home-field advantage in the first leg, before coming through a much tighter second contest in Bristol, 20-21 on Wednesday evening, 4th June. In so doing the Richmond based outfit, historically made up of London-based Welsh players, not only secured English rugby’s second tier silverware, but also guaranteed themselves an automatic return into the top-flight Aviva Premiership following their relegation this time last year.
Present throughout London Welsh’s campaign was 21 year old Nathan who amassed 26 total appearances for the club, including 21 league games whilst on loan from London Wasps this season. Victory in the Championship final marks the latest achievement in a rugby career which began in Carlisle and later saw him attend the renowned Sedbergh School on a rugby scholarship whilst also joining the Newcastle Falcons academy set-up. Having been offered a place at King’s to read geography, Nathan then moved on to the London Wasps academy where he made his competitive debut for Wasps against Worcester in the LV= Cup in October 2011. Since then Nathan has gone on to feature for Wasps – and London Welsh on loan - across several competitions and has also enjoyed representative honours for England at U16, U18 and U20 levels, including winning the IRB Junior World Cup in 2013.
Alongside playing rugby and following a professional player’s 6-day schedule, Nathan has combined the academic workload of studying for his geography degree. Helping to juggle and achieve this busy programme Nathan has been supported as part of the King’s Elites programme during his time at King’s.
In the remaining free time away from the books, the academy hooker is actively involved in the coaching of the game, and has been present as an assistant coach for the KCL Men’s Rugby Club, visiting the team at training on Monday evenings and offloading his own skills, tips and experience; a factor warmly acknowledged by KCLRFC players in contributing to their own successes this year.
The victory over Bristol on Wednesday caps a successful end of year for Nathan, who has now also completed his degree and can look forward to graduating later this summer ahead of September and the new 2014/15 rugby season. To this end everyone at King’s Sport congratulates Nathan and wish him continued success moving forwards!