**Jac Morgan Overcome With Emotion as British and Irish Lions Selection News Breaks Mid-flight**
In a memorable moment for Welsh rugby, Jac Morgan’s long-held dream of becoming a British and Irish Lion materialised in the most unexpected of settings: mid-flight, thousands of feet above South Africa. The Wales and Ospreys skipper, renowned for his steely determination on the pitch, found himself uncharacteristically overcome with emotion as the life-changing announcement reached him just after his plane touched down.
The Ospreys squad were jetting between Johannesburg and Durban when the Lions squad was being unveiled in London, leaving the players temporarily cut off from the world below. While many sports fans may have already seen Morgan’s name appear on the prestigious list, the man himself remained in suspense high above the clouds. Such a setting, far from the fanfare and media glare of a typical selection ceremony, lent the moment an extra poignancy.
Morgan has been regarded as Wales’ standout candidate for Lions selection, consistently delivering powerhouse performances even as his national side struggled for results in recent campaigns. Yet despite the widespread expectation, the realities of professional sport meant nothing was assured. Having endured setbacks earlier in his career – including release from the Scarlets academy as a teenager and periods away from the international fold – Morgan knows better than most how quickly fortunes can change.
The tension only grew as the Ospreys’ travel plans were disrupted, with a flight delay meaning Morgan and his teammates would not be able to witness the announcement live together as intended. “We were supposed to land in time for it, but there was a delay,” Morgan explained. “The announcement happened while we were up in the air, but I found out as soon as we landed.” News quickly spread through the cabin, with scrum-half Luke Davies cheerfully relaying the good news from the back of the plane.
Though the moment was filled with celebration, Morgan admitted the experience was tinged with nerves as the squad waited to reconnect with the outside world. “I think it was a little bit more nerve-wracking, because we were flying and we knew it had been announced. We knew it was just a matter of time before we landed and knew whether I was in the squad or not,” he reflected.
Videos later circulated showing Morgan’s teammates erupting in applause and cheering as they learned of his selection, while Morgan himself, seated quietly by a window, took a moment to process what had just happened. For those watching, it was a powerful reminder of the human side of these high-stakes sporting moments – raw emotion, humility, and the weight of years of effort all converging at once.
During media interviews, Morgan confessed to being deeply moved. “It was a little bit emotional,” he said, describing how he shared the moment initially with fellow Osprey Kieran Hardy. “When everyone was clapping and cheering, then as soon as we got off the plane and boys were congratulating me, that was quite an emotional time. Everything you do, working hard throughout the season, is as a squad. To be able to share that with the boys was pretty special.”
Shortly after the news broke, Morgan had just enough time to reach out to his family and those closest to him. “It’s a proud moment and a massive honour for me and the family,” he remarked, still seemingly in awe of the achievement. “They’re really happy. It’s quite a surreal thing to be picked for the Lions. I’m really grateful.”
For Morgan, the selection represents the pinnacle of years of dedication, not only for himself but also those who have supported his journey from grassroots rugby through to international recognition. He recalled watching the iconic 2013 Lions tour in Australia as a formative memory and spoke of the significance of now joining those ranks. “It’s the pinnacle of their career, being selected. It’s a proud moment for myself and my family, with everything they’ve sacrificed over the years.”
Jac Morgan’s story serves as a timely reminder of the resilience required at the elite level – from early disappointments to battling on through challenging times with the Welsh national side. Yet, in the end, it is not just the medals and accolades that matter, but those fleeting, unguarded moments when dreams are realised and shared with teammates, friends and family – even if it’s at 30,000 feet, above a distant continent.
His selection underscores not only his individual quality but also carries a message to aspiring rugby players everywhere: perseverance and teamwork remain at the heart of the sport’s greatest achievements.