“There’s a place I know. There’s magic where the flowers grow and beauty where the rivers flow”. Of course, Scottish singer Nathan Evans was talking about his homeland in his stanza.
Yet, the words and the feeling of the song can capture the feelings of people everywhere. The stars of one’s homestead always shine the brightest.
Rugby defines the county of Bridgend. It’s a place that has forged stars and built a legacy through its many beloved clubs. Looking at the Welsh national team, Bridgend is well represented.
Dewi Lake, Tommy Reffell, and Owen Watkin have roots in the county. If you cast your eyes on the English Championship, you will find a formidable competitor following in the footsteps of greats.
Morgan Strong has been tearing it up across the Severn and has a fascinating story.
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Early Rugby Journeys
“Rugby’s all I’ve ever really known. My old man played, so I grew up on the side of a rugby field—whether it was for Tondu, Pontypridd, or whoever he was playing for at the time. I was always around the game.”
Rugby was always going to be in the back rower’s blood. His father, Nathan Strong, is a name very familiar to fans of hardcore Welsh rugby.
Watching his father take to the field would have helped Morgan Strong develop a love for the game. His rugby journey began at Pandy Park, where on Sunday mornings, he would don the red and blue of Tondu RFC. It is a club steeped in history and renowned for producing high-quality talent.
The likes of JPR Williams, Keith Bradshaw, and the Boobyer brothers have graced the Tondu clubhouse, just to name a few.
A boyhood club can have a vital impact on a player’s journey. That first moment with a rugby ball often sparks something deeper. In clubhouses, young players form lifelong friendships, share memories, and develop a passion for the game that endures.
Strong talks about the love he has for the club.
Tondu
“It’s my local club. I was born in Aberkenfig, and Tondu’s just down the road, so all my childhood was spent at Pandy Park with my best mates—kicking a rugby ball or a football around.
“We’d watch Tondu play on Saturdays, home and away. The club played a massive role in my rugby journey. I played for Tondu from under-5s all the way through and even made a senior appearance alongside my old man while I was with the Ospreys—which was special. That’s a rugby memory I hold close to my heart.
“Tondu’s been a big part of my development and my life. I always look forward to going home, heading down to the club, catching up with the boys, and now watching my best mates run out for the first team. That’s something I think is cool.”
Tondu is a club built on passion, camaraderie, and loyalty. When visiting any clubhouse around Bridgend, you can see the same values.
Bound by rugby and community spirit, it’s a place where everyone knows each other.
From Maesteg to Cefn Glas, the county shares a passion that unites generations. Strong talks about the identity his hometown has with rugby.
Bridgend Rugby
“Rugby has a massive part to play in Bridgend’s identity. You have to look at how many competitive sides there are in the area.
“You’ve got the Ravens at the top of the pile, but not too far behind, you’ve got Tondu, Bridgend Athletic, Kenfig Hill—I think they’re all in the Championship now. It just goes to show how competitive rugby is in the area.
“I know a couple of sides have age groups through—Tondu being one. It’s pretty tribal in the area—you grow up with your club, and you tend to stick to it. Like I said, I’ve played for Tondu from under-5s through to the senior team, and I know a lot of the boys have done the same across other clubs, too.
“It’s great to see the Ravens had a reasonably strong end to the season in the SRC—getting through to the knockouts and winning a couple of games, which builds excitement for the area. You could feel Bridgend getting behind the team as they went further.
“One of my best mates, Harry Olding, is playing for the Ravens now, and just speaking to him, you can feel how positive things are moving forward. It’s great to see. The better the Ravens do, the more it lifts rugby in Bridgend—and that’s a real positive.”
The step up to senior rugby
He is known as a player with a maturity far beyond his years. His time with Tondu would have gone a long way in shaping the player he is today.
However, there was another proud Bridgend institution that helped along the way.
Bridgend College helps nurture raw talent into fierce competitors. It’s a programme where rugby meets education, where future internationals like Scott Baldwin, Matthew Morgan, and Rhys Webb have been shaped.
Coming up through the Ospreys Academy, he enjoyed run outs with the Bridgend Ravens, taking to the Brewery Field like the legendary figures before him.
Having worn the red jersey at Under-19 level, Strong stepped onto the Under-20 stage in 2020, earning five caps in the Six Nations and showcasing his rising potential.
The Ospreys saw this potential and offered Strong a contract extension. In a shock move, the Welshman decided to make the move across the Severn.
Move to England
At 21, Strong moved to Ampthill, seeking more regular starts. Strong made an immediate impact, earning a spot in the 2022–23 Championship Team of the Season.
His explosive ball-carrying and nose for the try-line made him an instant standout. The following season, he was named captain of the team, showcasing his leadership qualities.
He took his new role in his stride, winning Ampthill’s Player of the Season award that year. After a two-year stint with Ampthill, he made the move to Doncaster Knights.
Brought in to bolster their pack, Strong quickly became a consistent presence in the team. He did not miss a single game, making 28 appearances and showcasing his grit and determination—two things often associated with his hometown.
The number 8 continued his try-scoring form, going over for multiple scores again. After an impressive campaign in Yorkshire, he is on the move yet again and will head to Coventry for next season.
Each country comes with a new chapter, and Strong shared his insights into the contrasting rugby cultures of Wales and England.
English and Welsh Differences
“You know, from my experience—having played quite a few games in the Welsh Premiership and then coming over to the English Championship—I think what you’ve got to remember with the English Championship is that there are four or five fully professional teams in there.
“You only have to look at sides like Doncaster, Ealing, Coventry, Cornish Pirates, Bedford Blues—some are full-time or in that in-between space between full-time and semi-pro. You’ve also got the more traditional semi-pro clubs.
“One thing I’ve noticed is how significant a role the set piece plays here. It’s a bit of a cliché, but it’s true—scrums and lineouts are massive. In the Championship, you feel the importance of having a dominant scrum and strong set piece. It can shift a game.
“That’s been the most significant difference for me as I’ve progressed through the league. Going from a part-time set-up at Ampthill to a full-time team at Doncaster, you realise how crucial that area of the game is if you want to compete at the top.
“At Doncaster this year, our scrum’s been a real weapon. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with Premiership sides like Newcastle and Sale. We played Sale on TV, and I felt like we gave a great account of ourselves—and even came away with the win. But that performance was built on the foundations of our set piece.
“So yeah, the biggest differences have been the financial investment and how much emphasis is put on the set piece. In England, that part of the game is just on another level, and it has such a big impact on the way matches are played.”
The future
Next season, we will be entering a new era in English rugby. Teams will be able to fight for promotion, and with the arrival of Worcester Warriors, there is a buzz around the Championship. Morgan talks about next year.
“It’s exciting. Obviously, with Worcester coming back into the league next season, that’s going to be huge. It’ll bring new eyes and new fans to the Championship, which is great for drumming up interest.
“I’ve been in the Championship for a few years now, and it’s got better every year. So, adding a side like Worcester next season—it’s got the makings of being a real catalyst year for the Championship, a chance to push the league forward.
“The new top-six playoff format means there’ll be a lot of games, which is something to consider, but it also means there’ll be excitement right up to the end of the season. Teams will have the opportunity to play knockout rugby, which always draws big crowds and generates more excitement around matches. That kind of energy is only a good thing, and it’s something I’m looking forward to next year.
Coventry
“I’m heading down to Coventry now. They’re probably the best-supported club in the Championship at the moment, so to be able to bring knockout rugby to Coventry—assuming we get there—would be massive for the area. I’d imagine it’ll draw big crowds, and that would be pretty special to play in.
“Like I said, it’s going to be a competitive league. You’ve got all the professional sides—Ealing, Doncaster, Coventry, Cornish Pirates, Worcester now, Bedford, who are not far off full-time. Then you’ve got Hartpury, Nottingham—who, if they can put it together across a full season, are a dangerous team.
“It’s shaping up to be an exciting league next year, and I hope it continues to grow. Like I said earlier, the Championship has improved every year, and it feels like it’s about to take another big step forward. As a player developing and working my way through rugby, having a competitive, exciting league that goes right to the wire is only good for the game.”
Future Ambitions
Strong also discussed his future ambitions.
“Like I just said, I’m moving down to Coventry next season after what’s been the most enjoyable year of my career so far up at Doncaster Knights. It’s been a great season—we’re currently on course to finish third, and I think we need two more points this weekend to secure that. We’ll be going for the win down at Ampthill, another one of my former clubs.
“Looking ahead to Coventry, I’m just really looking forward to getting down there and getting started—meeting a new group of boys and getting stuck into a new challenge. Like I’ve said before, I think it’s a really exciting time for the Championship.
“A couple of my former teammates are heading to Cov next season as well, so I’m looking forward to catching up with some old friends. My goal over the next year is to settle in, integrate with the team, and explore where we can take Coventry next season. Hopefully, we’ll have a big year and be right in the mix for the playoffs.
“Coventry’s arguably the best-supported team in the league, so if we can bring knockout rugby to our home ground, that would be a massive way to finish the season. You’ve got to throw your hat in the ring and see where we end up come the end of the year.
Short-Term Focus
“That’s where my focus is in the short to mid-term—getting down to Coventry, getting started, and seeing how far we can go.”
It will be fascinating to see what the future holds for Strong and the Championship in general.
“In that sense, it’s been a constant in my life. As for work, it’s pretty much the only job I’ve ever had. When I was at Ampthill, back in our semi-professional days, I had a couple of odd jobs here and there, especially over the past couple of years. But rugby has always been the main thing.
“It’s also where I’ve found all my best mates. All of my closest friends have come through rugby—growing up together, playing together. It just goes to show how big a part rugby has played in my life.”
His journey from Tondu to Doncaster is a testament to where rugby can take you. For Strong, it’s not just a sport. It’s a way of life. One of his homeland’s rising rugby sons, Strong still has many chapters to write. All signs point to a bright future ahead.
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