Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Ross Moriarty UK return: URC side now in pole position

Toulouse's Argentinian fullback Juan Cruz Mallia is tackled by Brive's British flanker Ross Moriarty (L) during the French Top14 rugby union match between Stade Toulousain Rugby (Toulouse) and Club Athletique Brive Correze Limousin at the Ernest-Wallon stadium in Toulouse, south-western France on May 28, 2023. (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

There is an update on Ross Moriarty’s impending return to the United Kingdom, with the Scarlets and Ospreys both showing interest in recruiting the loose forward. Official news is expected in the next couple of months.

ADVERTISEMENT

With Carwyn Tuipulotu leaving the Scarlets to join Top 14 side Section Paloise, Moriarty is seen as a valuable asset to add experience and additional power to the back-row trio. However, RugbyPass understands the Ospreys may be in pole position to sign the soon-to-be 31-year-old Welsh international, who wants to return home, having been raised in Swansea.

With Jac Morgan having extended his contract with the Ospreys, the region is making a serious effort to find a suitable replacement for Justin Tipuric, who will retire at the end of the season.

As previously reported, the Welsh No. 8’s contract with CA Brive expires next June, and he has been allowed to find a new club.

Moriarty joined Les Coujous in 2022 and has played a total of 39 games for the French club. He had a stellar season last year, starting in 24 of 32 matches and scoring four tries to help the club qualify for the Pro D2 Championship playoffs.

Moriarty has hardly played this season due to a significant injury, but he is expected to return to action in the coming weeks as CA Brive continues its pursuit of promotion back to the Top 14.

The utility forward previously represented the Dragons, joining them in 2018 after six years with Gloucester.

ADVERTISEMENT

Since the Dragons have already strengthened their back row with the arrival of Cardiff’s Thomas Young, they appear to be out of the picture, leaving the Scarlets and Ospreys to vie for the 55-cap forward.

Moriarty last played for Wales in 2022, but his return to the Welsh regions could open the door for a possible recall to the national team setup.

Download the RugbyPass app now!

News, stats, live rugby and more! Download the new RugbyPass app on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) now!

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

J
JW 2 hours ago
'France may leave top players at home but will still be serious contenders in New Zealand'

The country turned septic on Foster for losing a series to what was arguably the best Irish side in history and one that may not have been ranked number one in the world when they arrived, but were by the time they left.

Imagine how feral the nation will be if Robertson’s All Blacks lose to what is supposedly going to be a French ‘B’ team?

This author proving he has less of an understanding of rugby than the general population.


The country was septic because of how easily they got beat Paul. The country is smart enough to rate the relative level of performances, and if Razors team goes backwards like Fosters the criticism you suggest might come will be fully deserved. If France B perform as good as France A and win by the same margins then those with the criticism the team should be winning every game will also be deserved. But the inference that the public didn’t give Ireland the credit they deserved couldn’t be further from the truth imo.

France have beaten the All Blacks on the last three occasions the two sides have met, and that the former has used 38 players in the process.

France could leave 40 players at home in July and still be a serious contender

And to the vibe of this article, it provides abosolutely zero reason to believe the next 38 best French are going to be as good as these first 38. Paul got one thing right, it’s no joke that France will be leaving behind 40 players.


France have a 45 man squad for 6N (well using Wiki), the team could be made up of these leftovers from the teams not likely to get close to Toulouse and Bordeaux, given that just the third place team is doing commendably well not to be in negative for and against like the rest.

Uini Atonio ——— Prop

Giorgi Beria ——— Prop

Georges-Henri Colombe ———- Prop

Jean-Baptiste Gros ——— Prop

Dany Priso ——— Prop

Rabah Slimani———- Prop

Hugo Auradou ——— Lock

Mickaël Guillard ——— Lock

Matthias Halagahu ——— Lock

Romain Taofifénua ——— Lock

Esteban Abadie ——- Back row

Grégory Alldritt ———- Back row

Paul Boudehent ———- Back row

Oscar Jégou ——— Back row

Nolann Le Garrec ——— Scrum-half

Gaël Fickou ——— Centre

Antoine Frisch ——— Centre

Émilien Gailleton ——— Centre

Noah Nene ——— Centre

Théo Attissogbé ——— Wing

Gaël Dréan ———- Wing

Gabin Villièren —— Wing

Léo Barré ——— Fullback


One wouldn’t think Atonio is going to come (I’d be surprised if Fickou is still not rested or he and Le Garrec aren’t involved in a relegation playoff game) but a few good players there like Leo Barre, Le Garrec, Taofifénua, and that back row, but also a distinct lack of a spine with the 3 best playmakers playing in the Final at home.


What are the possibilities to fill out these missing spots? looking at Opta’s stats hub Serin and Couilloud provide good back up for Le Garrec by fact of having the highest try involvements in the Top14 (along with Michael Ruru). And Serin’s partner Herve looks the most threatening to carry on the teams style with his elusiveness?

12 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Rassie Erasmus explains so-called Willie Le Roux Bok selection snub Rassie Erasmus explains so-called Willie Le Roux selection snub
Search