Morgan Allen desperate to be a stand-out stand-in

Morgan AllenTwo wins in six was not the start to the New Year would have wanted, so, with a host of stars in action, Friday's trip to will be a true test of their title credentials.
Shorn of half their pack, back-rower Morgan Allen, 24, will be a key man as he tries to get an injury-hit campaign up and running.
Allen, who recently made his 50th Ospreys appearance, has missed a large chunk of the season with an ankle injury – but with body healed he is desperate to stake his claim – if last week's concussion does not halt his progress.
Allen was knocked out in the LV=Cup defeat to and missed Saturday's clash against having failed the new ‘cog' test.
“I can't remember the match at all,” Morgan told The Rugby Paper. “I tried to tackle a player with my chin, never a good idea, and when I came to, the vision in my right eye was blurry. It's my first concussion and the timing is annoying.
“With the spine of the team on international duty, it's up to the guys left to make sure we don't drop the standards. It's crucial we all work hard as a squad to get some wins and try to rebuild the momentum from before Christmas.”
Allen, a regular in ' age-group sides when he occasionally beat Taulupe Faletau to the No.8 jersey, looked destined to emulate his father, Andy, who made three appearances for Wales in the second-row during the Nineties.
But ankle injuries and a compressed vertebra halted his progress in recent seasons and Allen admits it has been a case of playing catch up on his U20 colleague.
He said: “Every kid grows up wanting to play for Wales and I'm no different, especially having seen my Dad do it. I'd love to get that red cap but I'm happy playing regional rugby right now.
“It's been a struggle at times with the injuries but I'm not the sort for regrets or what-ifs. I just want to make the most of a short career.
“People can worry too much about the money and the fame but I just want to enjoy it and see where it takes me.”
Allen, 6ft 1in, is not the tallest No.8 but, at 18st, he brings a power game few can match. Nicknamed the “Welsh Fijian” by team-mates for his prowess in the gym, he is a destructive ball-carrier with gas to burn.
He said: “One of my strengths is getting my hands on the ball and taking players on. There are things I want to work on to be the complete player so I just want to get a good run of games under my belt and develop.”
GEORGIE EMERY

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