IN MAY, 2015 Tyler Morgan was preparing for the Junior World Championship with Wales Under-20s when Warren Gatland called.

Rather than head for Italy with the next generation, the Dragons centre would link up with the Wales seniors for their training camps in Switzerland and Qatar ahead of the World Cup.

Morgan, then 19, won his first cap in the tune-up against Ireland at Principality Stadium and after missing the initial cut for England 2015 was called up because of injuries.

He started against Fiji in Cardiff and then acquitted himself impressively alongside Jamie Roberts in the quarter-final defeat to South Africa at Twickenham.

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After that late charge to the World Cup, the Dragons centre isn't ready to give up on a place at Japan 2019 just yet.

Last week Morgan was left out of Gatland's squad for the Six Nations despite winning his fifth cap, and scoring his first Test try, against Tonga in the autumn.

Wales have plumped for a quartet of specialist centres with Hadleigh Parkes and Jonathan Davies likely to be in midfield against France in the opener with Owen Watkin and Scott Williams the other options.

"I had a good time in the autumn, obviously I am disappointed to not get in for the Six Nations but the position I am in is highly competitive," said Morgan.

"With Jon there it is quite difficult to push for that a starting spot at the moment and they are looking for boys who can play both 12 and 13. I haven't had much game time at 12, so that went against me.

"All I can do is crack on here at the Dragons, put in good performances and try and improve my game every day. I've just got to bide my time.

"I am definitely not giving up hope, Japan is a massive aim and there is a long time before then with a lot of games.

"Form can change completely between now and then while in today's game there are a lot of injuries, although I would never wish injury on anyone. You always have to be ready when the time comes."

Missing out on selection does have a silver lining with Morgan set for match action rather than holding tackle bags at Wales' Vale Resort headquarters.

The 23-year-old from Caerleon is back from a knee twinge to face Munster in the Guinness PRO14 on Saturday with the chance to give Gatland & Co another nudge.

"Through the autumn I was there for six weeks and only played once. It's frustrating to lose momentum," he admitted.

"I always back myself to get in a team but the truth is that Jon is probably going to be ahead of me, so at least I can get a bunch of games under my belt and keep progressing.

"I spoke to Rob (Howley, Wales attack coach) briefly and he said to just carry on working on my decision-making and handling.

"I feel that I need to work on my strengths more after focusing on weaknesses a bit too much; I just need to get back to the game that I played."

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Morgan's return from tweaking his knee in the opening stages of the loss to the Scarlets at the start of the month is timely with centre Adam Warren out with a foot injury.

Munster head to Newport without their Ireland contingent but still expecting to strengthen their position in the battle for home advantage in the PRO14 play-offs.

"It's going to be a big test because they are doing really well at the moment and are top of Conference A. Whoever they have got out, full internationals or not, they are a strong team.

"Munster are really physical side who will come hard in defence and load the front line. It's going to be an attritional battle and we have to play well tactically and put the ball in their half."

"We have done our prep and have good momentum in the PRO14 from the Ospreys win, hopefully we can carry that on.

"It's been a rocky few months with a lot going on off the field, but on it we are a tight group and we just deserve some wins and good performances now. The boys are hungry for it."