**Lions Player Ratings: Jac Morgan’s Performance Scrutinised after Defeat to Argentina**
The British and Irish Lions’ summer campaign got off to a less-than-ideal start after a narrow 28-24 defeat to Argentina at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Friday evening. With Head Coach Andy Farrell openly critical of his side’s error count in the match’s aftermath, a sense of urgency now looms as the squad prepares to kick off their tour of Australia next weekend. Individual performances, naturally, have come under the microscope, and Welsh flanker Jac Morgan in particular received a varied reception from British and Irish media outlets.
Morgan, the only Welsh starter in Friday’s XV, displayed glimpses of quality during the fixture, but the consensus among commentators appears to be that he has yet to fully stamp his authority on this Lions side. The 24-year-old’s try-saving turnover and high work-rate attracted attention, though critics suggest he needs to show even more if he is to be considered a certainty for the Test squad against Australia.
The *Daily Telegraph* offered a succinct summary, granting Morgan a 6 out of 10 and highlighting both his endeavour out wide and his key defensive intervention just before half time. According to the publication, the back-rower “migrated to the wide channels when the Lions had possession from the very outset and won a sharp jackal penalty in the 34th minute as the Lions were scrambling.” However, their assessment came with a caveat: “Clearly smart and athletic, but there is ferocious competition and he will need a big performance in Australia.”
The Irish media took a similar stance, while highlighting both the promise and the frustration evident in Morgan’s performance. The *Irish Times* also rated him a 6, noting Morgan’s early involvement and the importance of his first-half turnover, which potentially prevented an Argentine try. However, they lamented his lack of impact as the game progressed, noting that Morgan was substituted after 49 minutes, replaced by England’s Henry Pollock.
Slightly more optimistic was Ruck.co.uk, who scored the Welshman at 6.5, acknowledging the weight of expectation following his outstanding Six Nations yet conceding that this was not quite the highlight reel performance some had hoped to see. “Morgan made a crucial turnover at the 33rd minute, as the Pumas started to gain momentum in the Lions ‘red zone’. Not the highlight reel he’d been in Wales’ latest Six Nations campaign, with his wait for a Test match victory extending even now in Lions colours,” they wrote.
The Irish Mirror, meanwhile, was more positive, giving Morgan a 7 and declaring him “the best of the Lions back row” after he “fought hard in a losing breakdown battle”. This perspective stands in contrast to the verdict from Planet Rugby, which issued him a modest 5 out of 10. Their view was that Morgan had “a slow start”, but “grew into the game as it went on,” emphasising his improvement in the second quarter. Like others, they noted his substitution early in the second half.
While Morgan’s individual contribution dominated the Welsh headlines, other performers also received their fair share of scrutiny. England prop Ellis Genge drew widespread acclaim for his robust showing, earning an 8 out of 10 from several outlets. Genge’s vigorous running and dominance in the scrum were central to the Lions’ momentum, particularly in the lead-up to Tadhg Beirne’s second-half score. Meanwhile, the midfield partnership of Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu was universally praised as a rare bright spot on an otherwise disappointing evening.
For the Welsh, scrum-half Tomos Williams, who joined proceedings from the bench, was given a respectable score of 6 by Ruck.co.uk. His arrival at the hour mark saw the Lions’ attack briefly spark into life as they chased the game, raising questions as to whether he might merit more minutes in Australia.
Looking ahead, Friday’s result has undoubtedly left Andy Farrell and his coaching staff with much to consider ahead of their Australian opener against Western Force in Perth. As the media digests the opening fixture, player ratings have sparked discussion regarding selection and strategy – particularly in light of the fierce competition for places.
Morgan now faces a pivotal week, with the opportunity to respond and stake a stronger claim in the next fixture. For the rest of the squad, the challenge is clear – learn from a tough opening night, and prove themselves worthy of Test selection as the Lions continue their preparations Down Under.