But now the Black & Ambers head coach is back in situ he is not panicking over the loss of Newport's opening two games. He would, however, like a win against Swansea today.
“There are no panic stations because we’ve lost our first two games. We aren’t far away and we’re creating chances, so I’m feeling quite comfortable,” said Morris.
“Maybe other teams are raising their game against us because we are the champions. What I do know is that a number of other clubs have got stronger and are better prepared for this season than last.
“The SRC is tougher now than it was, although our processes, training methods and game plan haven’t changed. We just need to settle back into what we became used to doing last season.”
As well as missing their head coach last weekend in the 28-24 defeat at Aberavon, Newport were also without their inspirational skipper Ben Roach. He also missed the opening day, 27-20 home defeat to Llandovery.
“Ben isn’t fit for this weekend but we hope to have him back to play in the return fixture in Swansea on Thursday night,” said Morris.
“It will certainly good to have him back because he drives the standards both on and off the field. Josh Skinner has done a good job leading the side in his absence and it has been nice to see Ioan Rhys Davies carrying hard from the back row in his place.”
READ MORE: Dan Fish Proud of Cardiff’s Away-Day Resolve After Bonus-Point Win at RGC
For Swansea, now coached by former Wales Grand Slam forward and Wales assistant coach Jonathan Thomas, it will be a third away game in a row. They were beaten at Pontypool and then in the last minute by Llandovery last weekend, 34-31.
They have definitely made strides coming into this season and wee unlucky not to pick up more than two bonus-points at Church Bank last weekend. A controversial last minute penalty earned the Drovers a ‘get out of gaol free’ card.
Euros Evans’ side face a long trek north to Colwyn Bay to meet an RGC sides buoyed by their excellent 23-14 win at Pontypool last weekend. That included a crucial try from the Team GB Sevens star Caio Parry.
Pontypool, meanwhile, head west to Carmarthen to face a much improved Quins side that won against Cardiff at the Arms Park last weekend. The Quins had outside half Ellis Price to thank for victory as he slotted a last gasp penalty to seal the win at 34-31.
READ MORE: Newport Seeking Revenge Mission Against Llandovery as Super Rygbi Cymru Kicks Off
The other fixture sees unbeaten Ebbw Vale welcome Cardiff head to Eugene Cross Park for the pick of the day's matches.
“It was a disappointing performance from us on against the Quins, who were deserved winners. It’s never nice to lose, especially at the Arms Park,” said Cardiff head coach Dan Fish.
“We let ourselves down at the contact area and couldn’t retain any ball to be able to put Quins under pressure multi-phase. That’s a tap on the back for the Quins back row, who I thought were outstanding.
“We’re looking for a reaction this weekend and there is no tougher place to go than Ebbw Vale. We know we have to tidy a few things up, because if we don’t, it could be a long day.”
READ MORE: For Harry, Wales, and Ebbw Vale . . . The Cry is Super Rygbi Cymru
