Morris named new Malta Rugby 7s Development Coach

The Malta Rugby Football Union announced that James Morris has been appointed as the new 7s Development and Skills Coach, the local governing body announced.

Morris will be specialising in the 7’s version of the game in preparation for the first ever competition at the 2023 Games of the Small States of Europe in 2023.

“The Malta Rugby Football Union is happy to announce that, following a rigorous selection process, Mr James Morris has been selected as the 7s Development and Skills Coach, under Technical Director Damian Neill,” the local governing body said in a statement.

“He will be specialising in the 7’s version of the game in preparation for the first ever 7’s rugby competition at the GSSE games in 2023.”

The MRFU said that Morris started off playing rugby in Cardiff, playing for Rhiwbina RFC junior section, through the years he captained St Davids College in the Welsh colleges league.

At representative level, Morris played for the prestigious Cardiff Blues U16 academy, and also represented Wales A U16s playing. 

Morris, who obtained a BSc in Sports Coaching at Cardiff Metropolitan University, gained his first Malta cap on April 28, 2012 against Croatia.

From there, Morris went on to win 20 international caps with the national team and was also a part of the successful 7s team which won the European 7s Conference 2 tournament in Hungary.

“Morris acquired a vast international experience,” the MRFU said.

“He played for the Joondalup Brothers in Perth, Australia. James also earned an illustrious semi-professional rugby contract with Amstelveense Rugby club in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, after impressing in the Amsterdam 7s.

“James remained at the club for one season, playing and coaching the senior backs, before coaching the youth and junior section, and the senior 7s side the following year.

“At this stage in his career James is focused on coaching and teaching. He is a World Rugby Level 2 coach, and he is also a Level 2 football coach. He has recently graduated from the University of the West of England, studying a PGCE in Secondary Physical Education.

“This investment in our coaching staff would not have been possible without the assistance of the Maltese Olympic Committee and Sports Malta. This serves our goals of further investment in our 7s Rugby Programme.”