World Cup 2015: Warburton hails Morgan 'X-factor' for Wales

Matthew Morgan is a former Wales Under-20 player

Wales captain Sam Warburton has welcomed the "X-factor" Matthew Morgan could contribute to the 2015 World Cup.

Diminutive former Osprey Morgan can play fly-half, full-back and wing.

The style of the Bristol star and his stature - 5ft 8in and 11st 7lb - are a stark contrast to his bulked-up contemporaries across the sport.

"He is a great inclusion, really exciting, and he will add something different to the back three," said Warburton.

Morgan was named 2015 Player of the Year in the second-tier English Premiership.

He is the only player in Wales' tournament squad not playing in a top-flight club or Welsh region.

Warburton likens him to fleet-footed former Wales and British and Irish Lions wing Shane Williams.

'Magic moments'

Matthew Morgan has won two Wales caps

"Like [Wales coach] Warren [Gatland] said, he does have that X-factor," Warburton said.

"We did a training game recently against the Ospreys. He got the ball - and I can't remember what he did - but he turned a two-on-three into a two-on-one and put someone in at the corner.

"I was on the sideline looking, and went 'wow'. He does these magic moments in training, and he is brilliant.

"He would mesmerise opposition with his footwork, similar to Shane, who would come off his wing and play first-receiver.

"As a defender, it is a nightmare to defend against.

"When he runs at you from a distance you cannot do anything but sit on your feet because you don't know what he is going to do."

'Absolute beast'

Taulupe Faleatu was born in Tonga

Warburton also highlighted Taulupe Faletau's efforts in training ahead of the tournament, in which Wales face group games against Uruguay, England, Fiji and Australia.

"He is in the best physical shape I have ever seen him in. He used to be quite relaxed in the gym - laid-back to say the least.," Warburton said of the Dragons back row.

"This summer, he has trained so hard and his shape, physically - he is an absolute beast at the moment.

"Someone asked me before who I was excited about at this World Cup, and one of the boys would be Toby.

"The bigger the game, the better he plays. I think he will be awesome for us."