Wales fly-half Matthew Morgan ready to silence doubters

Bristol fly-half Matthew Morgan says he is ready to answer his critics after securing a place in Wales' World Cup squad.

The 23 year-old is, at 5ft 8in, one of the smallest players in the Welsh side, prompting some to question his defensive capabilities ahead of the tournament.

"I've had that most of my life," admitted Morgan, who was named as last season's Championship player of the year.

"I have just had to get on with it - there is nothing I can do other than to crack on.

"I work in the gym and on my tackle technique, but I've never been bothered by having to put in tackles. It doesn't faze me - you can't go into a game not backing yourself.

"They said that about Shane Williams, and he became the best player in the world.

"I have had the odd coach saying 'you are not big enough', but you have just got to go low and back your technique all the way. I am more than happy with my tackling, and I don't mind getting stuck in."

"I work in the gym and on my tackle technique, but I've never been bothered by having to put in tackles. It doesn't faze me - you can't go into a game not backing yourself."

Morgan faces competition from Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland and Gareth Anscombe for a starting place in Wales' opening World Cup fixture against Uruguay a week on Sunday. However, the former Ospreys man admits he is happy just to have received a call up by head coach Warren Gatland.

"I was chuffed to bits when I had the call and found out I was in the squad," he added. 

"The last couple of months have been massive. I am trying to do my best in training, and it's worked, which has been good. They back me and want me to go out on the pitch and just express myself.

"I would love to get on the field and play at the World Cup. We have got a tough group, and it would be good to get out of it."

Morgan will return to play in the Championship after the World Cup following Bristol's failed bid for promotion back to the Aviva Premiership last season. However, the Welshman insists that he made the right decision to leave Ospreys in search of a regular first team place in England.

"It was one of those things. I think the club [Ospreys] knew I wanted more game-time and were happy for me to go somewhere else. I enjoyed my time at the Ospreys, but it was a bit frustrating because I just wanted to play.

"I had been at the Ospreys for a long time, and it was nice to have a change of scenery."