Young Rhino is bound for South Africa

RUGBY: GARETH Morgan is living rugby league’s high life.

The 18-year-old, plucked from the first team at Saddleworth Rangers to train with Leeds Rhinos on a trial basis, has made his first appearance for the Super League club’s academy side.

Turning out alongside two other Oldhamers, half-back pairing Aaron Brown and Sean Casey, Morgan played his part as Leeds eased to a 58-16 win at St Helens in the Volvoline Cup.

And now he has further top-class rugby to look forward to in the shape of an upcoming tour of South Africa.

Morgan, who was named as the Oldham Amateur League’s young player of the season at the presentation night at the White Hart in Lydgate, is among a 20-strong Great Britain Community Lions under-18s squad which departs for a two-game visit departing on Monday, June 20.

“I have never been on tour before,” Morgan said. “I can’t wait for it and I am sure it will be a great experience.”