By Ben James

Copyright walesonline

Wales captain Jac Morgan has been named the Welsh Rugby Writers Association’s Wales men’s player of the year for the second time. After a year that saw the Ospreys back-row carry the weight and expectations of a nation on his shoulders, being the only Welsh tourist left on the British and Irish Lions’ victorious Test series in Australia , Morgan was the obvious choice to be crowned the best player in Wales at an awards ceremony at the Principality Stadium on Thursday night. Previous winners of the Lloyd Lewis award include some of Welsh rugby’s finest, including Sir Gareth Edwards, Phil Bennett, Barry John, Jonathan Davies, Shane Williams and Sam Warburton. This is the second time Morgan has won the award, having picked up the honour previously in 2023. That sees him join an exclusive club of two-time winners – with Terry Cobner, Mervyn Davies, Terry Holmes, Neil Jenkins, Rob Howley, Scott Quinnell, Gareth Thomas, James Hook and Alun Wyn Jones the other players to have done so. “It was a good year, I enjoyed it and I’m really pleased to win this award,” said Morgan after picking up the award. “It was a tough year with the way that the games went but I was chuffed to watch the boys get the win in Japan. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. “That was pretty special. It’s been challenging but we have worked hard as a group and been tight. Speaking about his Lions experiences this summer, Morgan added: “It was a great experience and I enjoyed being with the coaches and playing group. They were a great bunch of boys and we built bonds and made friendships for life. “To be a part of it was pretty special. I learnt loads of new things playing with other back-rowers and learning from them. “I tried to develop my game, learn off them and see what improvements I can make based on how they play, train and their off-field habits.” His Wales team-mate Blair Murray was named the Wales men’s young player of the year, following his remarkable rise to Wales regular since moving to the Scarlets from New Zealand last year. Having expected to be a bit-part player for Dwayne Peel’s side following his move from Canterbury, he ended the season with 10 caps for Wales – having been tipped for a spot in the Lions squad in Australia alongside Morgan. “Coming over to Wales this time last year, I could never have expected my first season to have gone as it did,” said Murray. “I was hoping to play maybe four or five games for the Scarlets and build from there with this season in mind. “But to play as much as I did and also represent Wales means it’s been a dream really. I have to continue to make the most of it now. “I feel very grateful and honoured to receive this award and to be mentioned in the same breath as some of the previous winners is a great feeling. I want to build on what I did last season this year. “We made the play-offs with the Scarlets and this year we’re playing in the Champions Cup which is something I’m really looking forward to. “I’m looking forward to hopefully being a part of the Wales set-up with Steve Tandy. Hopefully I can play well enough for the Scarlets to be involved again.” Wales co-captain Kate Williams was handed the Liza Burgess award for Wales Women’s player of the year after a season that saw her pick up another Premiership Women’s Rugby title. Despite a disappointing recent World Cup campaign, Williams was hopeful of “better times” next year with the national team. “I am just loving playing my rugby at the minute and that showed with how I played in the Six Nations and for Gloucester-Hartpury,” said Williams. “All of the opportunities that I have had have been unbelievable and I feel really lucky to play with the players that I do. “Looking back at my journey over the last three years I have made some big gains in my game and also big gains in how I am off the field. Around the environment I feel more confident, which is translating into my rugby. “As a team we are building. Results haven’t gone our way so far and we haven’t had the performances we have needed or wanted but we are still gelling, which hopefully will continue. “There is no shying away from the fact that it was a disappointing World Cup with performances and results but we have a lot of direction going into the Six Nations next year. “We know we need to work on playing more rugby with our clubs and in the Celtic Challenge to get that game fitness and game IQ. That’s where we will improve coming into the Six Nations – it will improve fitness, skills and connections.” Newport fly-half Jac Lloyd was named Super Rygbi Cymru player of the year after he guided the Black and Ambers to the inaugural SRC title earlier this year.