Ross Moriarty

Ross Moriarty comes from good rugby stock being the son of former Wales dual code international Paul and nephew of ex-Wales captain Richard.

He was born in St Helens, on Merseyside, while his father was playing rugby league at Widnes, but was educated at Morriston Comprehensive School. He played football up to the age of 12 before switching to rugby at Gorseinon RFC. He played for Swansea Schools and West Wales Schools, beginning life as a full back before moving into the forwards.

He was in the in the Ospreys age grade system as a full back, but then moved to Hartpury College. 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 them, including winning the European Challenge Cup in 2015, 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 team mates in Hallam Amos, Elliot Dee and Ellis Jenkins.

He opted to play for Wales at senior level, winning his first cap against Ireland in 2015 and appearing in the World Cup later that year. He is one of only 15 ‘Father & Son’ teams to have played for Wales and Moriarty’s became the first family to play at the World Cup for Wales.

He 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.

He toured with Wales in the summer of 2018 and was sent-off near the end of the 30-12 win over Argentina in Santa Fe for putting a choke hold on Nicolas Sanchez. He received a four week ban.