 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | 5 November 1996 Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 15 st 2 lb (96 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Loose forward, Second-row | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of 5 November 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Knowles (born 5 November 1996) is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a loose forward or second-row for St Helens in the Super League.[3] He has played for both Wales and England at international level.
Knowles was born in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England, and attended Ulverston Victoria High School.[4] He played junior rugby league for Barrow Island before signing for St Helens at the age of 15.[5]
Knowles made his first team debut for Saints in May 2015, appearing as a substitute in a Challenge Cup game against York City Knights.[6] He established a regular place in the first team during the following year, and was rewarded with a new three-year contract at the club.[5]
He played in the 2019 Challenge Cup Final defeat by Warrington at Wembley Stadium.[7] Knowles played in the 2019 Super League Grand Final victory over Salford at Old Trafford.[8][9][10]
Knowles played in St Helens 2020 Super League Grand Final victory over Wigan at the Kingston Communications Stadium in Hull.[11] On 17 July 2021, he played for St. Helens in their 26-12 2021 Challenge Cup Final victory over Castleford.[12] On 9 October 2021, he played in St. Helens 2021 Super League Grand Final victory over Catalans Dragons.[13] In the 2022 semi-final, Knowles was sent to the sin bin for a chicken wing tackle during St Helens 19-12 victory over Salford which sent the club into their fourth consecutive grand final. Knowles was later suspended for two matches. St Helens appealed the decision which the RFL rejected. Knowles and St Helens then put in a second appeal which was successful meaning he was free to play in the 2022 Super League Grand Final.[14] On 24 September 2022, Knowles played for St Helens in their 2022 Super League Grand Final victory over Leeds.[15] On 18 February 2023, Knowles played in St Helens 13-12 upset victory over Penrith in the 2023 World Club Challenge.[16] On 12 April 2023, Knowles was suspended for five matches and issued a £500 fine after he was placed on report for an illegal tackle during St Helens 14-6 loss to Wigan in round 8 of the competition.[17] On 22 May 2023, Knowles was suspended for two games following being red carded during the clubs Challenge Cup victory over Halifax. Knowles was sent off in the final minute of the game for a high tackle on Halifax hooker Tom Inman.[18] Knowles played 21 games for St Helens in the 2023 Super League season as the club finished third on the table. Knowles played in St Helens narrow loss against the Catalans Dragons in the semi-final which stopped them reaching a fifth successive grand final.[19]
On 25 June 2021 he made a try scoring début for England in their 24-26 defeat to the Combined Nations All Stars, staged at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington, as part of England’s 2021 Rugby League World Cup preparation.[20]