PEMBROKESHIRE rugby has lost one of its best-known characters with the sad passing away of Whitland RFC's stalwart second row Brian Morgan, writes Bill Carne.

Known to all as 'Mogs' he was rightly revered by his own team-mates and sometimes feared by the opposition for his uncompromising play in the close exchanges.

"He was the hardest man I ever saw on a local rugby pitch," said long-time team-mate Tony Bowen, "but a gentleman off it who could not have been nicer or more modest.

"He was known by teams across South Wales and when we recently played against Glynneath some of their old timers were quick to ask how Brian Morgan was."

Brian was held in huge esteem at Whitland but he played his first senior game for Narberth when he was only 16 - and as well as playing for the Borderers for the vast majority of his playing career he also played for some time at Stradey Park with Llanelli and also played for Swansea.

But it was with a very strong Whitland team that he was best known and created a record that is unlikely to be beaten since he also represented Pembrokeshire on well over 70 occasions. Most of these games were played against other counties or against first-class clubs and 'Mogs' never shirked a tackle or sold himself short on the pitch because he always took great pride in his performance.

Tony Bowen, who played 53 times alongside him for Pembrokeshire, said: "He was an inspirational character but once we were off the pitch I never ever heard him talk about his own play because he was too busy saying well done to others.

"We have lost a smashing sportsman and everyone who knew him will miss him badly."

In his role as a water bailiff 'Mogs' also loved nature along the river bank and was a keen angler but it was rugby that occupied much of his spare time and Brian 'Mogs' Morgan will long be remembered for his huge contribution to the game in Whitland and Pembrokeshire - and our hearts go out to his family at this very sad time.