Jac Morgan tells WRU he'll leave Welsh rugby if Ospreys don't exist | Wales Online

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Wales captain Jac Morgan has told the Welsh Rugby Union that he would leave Wales if the Ospreys do not exist moving forward.

Ospreys supporters were told of the talismanic back-row's stance at a supporters' consultation event on Tuesday evening, with WalesOnline having confirmed Morgan's position has been communicated to the governing body through other sources close to the player. It comes as the Welsh Rugby Union's consultation into the number of professional clubs in Wales edges closer to a decision.

The consultation process draws to a close in the next week, with the WRU board set to finalise a decision on the number of men's clubs in October - with the Ospreys' future, like the other clubs, currently at risk.

It's unclear just how much influence any one player can have on this consultation process, but if any Welsh player is likely to, then it's Morgan.

The only Welshman involved in the summer's British & Irish Lions Test series against Australia, Morgan has been the standout player in the country for some time.

Last week saw him named the Welsh Rugby Writers Association's player of the year for the second time - joining an exclusive club in winning the award on multiple occasions.

The odds on him becoming the first player to win it three times seem fairly short, given his performances in recent seasons against the backdrop of various problems in Welsh rugby.

Amid all the ongoing uncertainty, a number of high-profile players are out of contract next summer.

Morgan is the biggest name, with clubs in England and France, as well as the rebel league R360, interested in his signature.

Last month, WalesOnline had reported on Morgan only being likely to stay with the Ospreys in Wales - with that having since been communicated to the WRU by the Wales captain.

Other internationals like Dewi Lake, Aaron Wainwright, Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy, Johnny Williams, Rio Dyer and Ellis Mee are out of contract at the end of the current season.

The Welsh Rugby Players' Association surveyed players in Wales at the start of this consultation process, with around 160 players responding to the survey ahead of a meeting with the WRU earlier this month.

The vast majority of players were against the two-club model, with a very high percentage of players saying they would consider a move outside of Wales were the WRU to push forward with their 'optimal system'.

However, having the Wales captain telling them he would leave were the Ospreys to no longer exist is a different proposition for the WRU.

Last week, WRU director of rugby and elite performance Dave Reddin admitted that he had perhaps underestimated the value of club identity to players earlier in this process.

"The feedback has been backed by a lot of passion, but also a lot of evidence and thought on behalf of the professional clubs and also the players," he said.

"The players have been incredibly well-prepared coming into these meetings. If I was to pick something I've heard from players, I need to continue to listen to the value that identity and place has to them.

"In some cases, more so than facilities and other things, connection to identity and people continues to be really important."