Ross Moriarty (born 18 April 1994) is an international rugby union player, who currently plays for Brive. Moriarty has represented Wales and England U20.

Ross Moriarty
Ross Moriarty in 2014
Birth nameRoss Moriarty
Date of birth (1994-04-18) 18 April 1994 (age 30)[1]
Place of birthSt Helens, Merseyside, England
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight108 kg (238 lb; 17 st 0 lb)
SchoolGlyncollen Primary School and Morriston Comprehensive School
Notable relative(s)Paul Moriarty (father)
Richard Moriarty (uncle)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Blindside Flanker
Number 8
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012–2018 Gloucester 95 (60)
2012–2014Hartpury College (loan) 13 (40)
2018–2023 Dragons 54 (10)
2023– Brive 11 (5)
Correct as of 18 October 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012 England U18 5 (10)
2013–2014 England U20 6 (0)
2015– Wales 54 (15)
2017 British & Irish Lions
Correct as of 7 April 2023

Personal life

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Moriarty was born in St Helens, Merseyside while his father, former Wales international Paul Moriarty, was in the north of England playing rugby league. Moriarty is also the nephew of former Wales international captain Richard Moriarty.

He was educated at Glyncollen Primary School and Morriston Comprehensive School in Swansea, Wales. He took up rugby union at the age of ten playing for Swansea Schools and West Wales Schools. He also played his junior rugby at Gorseinon RFC

Club career

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Moriarty made his debut for Gloucester on 10 November 2012 against the Ospreys, his age-grade team in the LV= Cup. He did not play for Gloucester regularly in his first season however, but was a regular with Hartpury RFC, where he was a student.

On 27 November 2017, it was announced that Moriarty would leave Gloucester to join Welsh region Dragons in the Pro14 on a two-year WRU central contract from the 2018–19 season.[2]

On 7 April 2023, Moriarty departed the Dragons with immediate effect to join Brive.[3]

International career

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England

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Moriarty made his international debut with England Under-18 against France at Fylde in February 2012. He went on to score tries against Scotland and Wales in his first four appearances, and helped England to become European champions in Spain.

He started the first two games for England in the 2013 under-20 Six Nations but was unavailable for the final three matches after being red carded in the match against Ireland in Athlone. He played in every match of the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship and scored three tries against the US in a pool game.

In the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship Moriarty won the tournament with England with impressive performances throughout the whole tournament.[4][5]

Wales

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Moriarty made his full international debut in the starting line up for Wales versus Ireland on 8 August 2015.[6] On 15 September 2015, Moriarty was chosen as a replacement for Eli Walker in the 2015 Rugby World Cup squad after Walker suffered an injury.[7]

Moriarty came off the bench against Ireland in the opening match of the 2022 Six Nations Championship to earn his 50th cap in the 29–7 loss.[8]

International tries

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Try Opponent Location Venue Competition Date Result
1   Italy Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2016 Six Nations 19 March 2016 Win
2
3   France Oita, Japan Bank Dome 2019 Rugby World Cup 20 October 2019 Win

References

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  1. ^ "British and Irish Lions 2017: Ross Moriarty's birthday surprise call-up". BBC Sport. 19 April 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  2. ^ "Wales back-row Ross Moriarty leaving Gloucester to join Dragons". Telegraph. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  3. ^ "Wales back row Moriarty leaves Dragons for Brive". BBC Sport. 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  4. ^ "England Under-20s vs South Africa Under-20s - Report - U20s World Championship 2014 2014 - 20 Jun, 2014 - ESPN". ESPN.com.
  5. ^ "Junior World Championship: England 21-20 South Africa". BBC Sport. 20 June 2014.
  6. ^ "Wales 21-35 Ireland". BBC Sport. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  7. ^ "Rugby World Cup 2015: Eli Walker out of Wales squad". BBC. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  8. ^ "Ireland hammer sorry Wales 29-7 in one-sided opener". BBC Sport.
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