Tributes have been paid following the sad passing of longstanding Pembrokeshire county councillor Peter Morgan who has died at the age of 65 after battling a brain tumor.     

Cllr Morgan who enjoyed an illustrious rugby career had represented The Havens ward for 16 years and served as the Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council in 2012.

One of Pembrokeshire’s most talented rugby players, Cllr Morgan represented Llanelli, Wales and the British and Irish Lions during a distinguished career.

Members of Pembrokeshire Council were extremely saddened to learn of the death of Cllr Morgan, with leader Cllr Jon Harvey, remarking: “On behalf of everyone at the Council, I send our sincere condolences to Peter’s family and friends.

“Peter was such a character, always with a smile on his face but also fierce determination to do his best and fight for his constituents and the people of Pembrokeshire.

“Peter’s warmth, energy and sense of humour will be sadly missed in the Council chamber and beyond.”

The Welsh Rugby Union has also paid tribute, offering sincere condolences to Peter’s wife, Helen, their two daughters Nia and Lowri, and two grandchildren, Seren and Dewi.

Born in Haverfordwest, Peter learned his rugby at Sir Thomas Picton School under the tutelage of Peter Herbert and then with Haverfordwest RFC.

He won a Wales Youth cap against a French team that contained Serge Blanc in 1977, but a broken ankle robbed him of the vice-captaincy and more caps the next season.

He made his Scarlets debut at just 17 years of age as a full-back against Richmond in 1976 and played his final game against Aberavon in 1988.

In his 275 matches for the Scarlets he scored 90 tries.

His progress continued at a rapid pace and he played twice for Wales B in his first season in senior rugby, against the touring Australians and France.

A scintillating performance for Wales B against France B at Aberavon prompted Welsh coach John Dawes to promote him at a young age into the senior national side.

He captained Llanelli to victory in the annual Snelling Sevens alongside his brother, Anthony in 1979, winning the Bill Everson Award for the man of the tournament.

He toured with the Barbarians in Wales the following Easter and was named Welsh rugby’s ‘Most Promising Player of the Year’ by the Welsh Rugby Writers’ Association.

Peter won the last of his Welsh caps against Ireland in Cardiff in 1981.