He’s become an overnight sensation and the new face of Rugby League.
But South Wales Scorpions and television star Tom Morgan has revealed that he almost switched to the 15-man code last year, but turned it down after he claims he was offered a reduced contract due to his Tourette’s.
Morgan, whose brother Matthew players union for Wales, revealed exclusively to TotalRL.com that he re-signed with South Wales Scorpions after an unnamed club offered him what he claims to be an ’embarrassing’ deal due to his Tourette’s and dyslexia.
He has since gone on to become the star of the Undateables, a show that focuses on people who struggle in love for various reasons.
But second-rower Morgan has revealed that he was left dejected after the contract offered to him by the rugby union side left him in tears.
“I went for a trial in rugby union,” he told TotalRL.
“They offered me a contract, but they took in my disability and said they didn’t want to offer me this much because he has Tourette’s and it was quite embarrassing.
“I’d done a whole eight weeks pre-season with them and it went really well on the rugby side, but because I’m dyslexic as well I struggled in the classroom side. When it was on the rugby side and physical side it was fine, but when it came to offering me a contract it was a kick in the balls really, I was chucked under a bus. It was quite hard to take. I came home to my parents and I just burst out into tears in front of them. It was a hard time.”
However, in South Wales Scorpions he was given the opportunity to return to Rugby League, something he is hugely grateful for.
“The Scorpions came back and they are as good as gold. I’m comfortable there and it’s really good.
“I like Rugby League. It’s a man sport and more gentlemanlike. You get what you see. There’s no cutting the corners and there is more honesty, it’s the best sport in the world I think.”
Since featuring on the Channel 4 show, Tom has become a hit on social media, with his own personal Twitter account going into meltdown.
Tom Morgan is defiantly not undatable? #TheUndateables
— Megan (@DallMegan) January 5, 2016
Tom Morgan on #theundateables ?
— Georgina Pattison (@gpattison2) January 4, 2016
However, nothing will put Rugby League’s new star off playing, not even the number of date offers he is currently inundated with.
Sport, in general, has been cruel to Morgan at times, with the winger undergoing TEN operations in the last four years.
“Over the last four or five years, I’ve had a lot of bad injuries. I snapped my femur two seasons ago and I’ve had two knee reconstructions. But sport keeps my mind focused. It’s like my drug and medication, I love being involved in it.
“I would like to play professional one day if I’m good enough because I’m definitely committed enough. Hopefully I can get in the Wales squad at the end of the season and take it from there.”
