Wales captain Jac Morgan has been flooded with support after he announced the tragic death of his rugby player cousin Harri.
Morgan revealed that his cousin, who was the Brynamman RFC vice-captain, had died suddenly last week. He paid an emotional tribute to his “best friend”, adding that Harri “meant the world” to him and his family.
Emotional Tribute to Cousin
Morgan shared his feelings on Instagram. “This week I suddenly lost my cousin and best friend Harri,” wrote Morgan. “He meant the world to us as a family. He loved so much about life, but his greatest joy was playing rugby for Brynamman.”
Morgan played for the Ospreys against the Sharks in honour and memory of Harri. He said, “Yesterday I played my game in honour and memory of Harri. It felt important to go out there and make him proud, playing the game that he loved.”
Support from the Rugby Community
Morgan has received an outpouring of love and support from across the rugby world. Wales team-mate Joe Hawkins wrote: “Thinking of you and the family mate.”
Carmarthen-born Ireland coach Aled Walters commented: “Meddwl amdano chi gyd Jac. [Thinking of you all, Jac].” Ex-Wales U20s international Lennon Greggains wrote: “Sending my love brother.”
Wales team-mates – including Dewi Lake, Rio Dyer, Gareth Thomas, Taine Plumtree, Joe Roberts, Louie Hennessey, Sam Costelow and Adam Beard – sent messages of support. Fellow Lions tourists Ellis Genge and Ben Earl also showed their support with loveheart emojis.
Former internationals James Hook, Paul James and Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies have also shown their support to the Ospreys star.
Fundraising in Harri’s Memory
Morgan has shared a link to a GoFundMe page for Harri’s brothers, Cerith and Ifan, and friends. They are running the Swansea Half Marathon later this year in his memory.
Morgan also urged anyone struggling to reach out for help. “If anyone is struggling, please reach out to your friends, your family, or anyone around you,” he wrote.
He highlighted the @jaclewisfdn as a source of help. “There are always people you can talk to, and there is help out there with @jaclewisfdn. His brothers and close friends are running the Swansea half marathon in June in memory of Harri and there is a GoFundMe link in my Bio to donate.”
Morgan ended his tribute with: “Cysga’n dawel Harri. Caru ti. [Sleep peacefully Harri. I love you].”