We take a closer look at Ross Moriarty on the day he signs a new long-term contract at Dragons...
Ross gained international honours for England at age grade level, but opted for Wales, following in the footsteps of his father Paul, and uncle Richard Moriarty.
Born in St Helens, Merseyside, while his father was playing rugby league at Widnes, Ross was educated at Morriston Comprehensive School and played rugby at Gorseinon RFC.
He played for Swansea Schools and West Wales Schools, beginning his rugby life as a full back.
Moriarty moved to Hartpury College and it was there a switch to the back row saw him earn selection for England Under 18 and 20 and earned him an Academy contract at Gloucester.
His debut for the Cherry & Whites came in the LV= Cup at the age of 18 against the Ospreys in 2012.
He went on to make 51 appearances for Gloucetser, including winning the European Challenge Cup in 2015, and twice voted player of the year by supporters, before joining the Dragons in the summer of 2018.
He twice won the Junior World Championship with England U20, in 2013 and 2014, playing alongside such future England stars as Maro Itoje, Jack Nowell, Anthony Watson, Henry Slade, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Alec Hepburn and Ollie Devoto. England beat Wales in the 2013 final, with Moriarty facing future Wales team mates in Hallam Amos, Elliot Dee and Ellis Jenkins.
Moriarty opted to play for Wales at senior level and made his full debut against Ireland in August 2015, scoring his first international try later that season against Italy on his Six Nations debut.
He is one of only 15 ‘Father & Son’ teams to have played for Wales and the Moriarty’s became the first family to play at the World Cup for Wales, when he made his Rugby World Cup bow in 2015.
Ross was picked for the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand in 2017, but was only able to play in the opening game against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians because of a nerve problem in his lower back.
The 25-year-old is an almost ever-present member of the Welsh back row in recent times and scored the winning try as Wales narrowly defeated France to make last year’s Rugby World Cup semi-finals.
Moriarty has made 17 appearances for Dragons since joining the region, scoring one try (versus Enisei-STM January, 2020). He made his 45th Wales appearance against England at Twickenham at the start of March.
The 25-year-old is an almost ever-present member of the Welsh back row in recent times...
