WRU preparing massive salary bid to bring Ross Moriarty home
It is no secret that the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) are keen to bring dynamic flanker Ross Moriarty back across the Severn and to team him up with one of the four Welsh PRO14 regions.
There were rumours that Moriarty could leave Gloucester at the end of last season – with a year remaining on his contract – but they turned out to be unfounded and the British and Irish Lion opted to stay with the Cherry and Whites, rather than seeking an early release.
RugbyPass understands that the WRU do now have proposals on the table to Moriarty, who is in the last season of his contract with Gloucester, to bring him back the country he represents at international level and where he spent much of his childhood.
The proposals, which would see him take up a National Dual Contract, are believed to offer Moriarty a salary somewhere in the £450k-£525k range, with the WRU funding 60% of the contract and the remaining 40% paid for by one of the four regions.
Understandably, Gloucester are in no rush to lose one of their star players and there is the scope for Moriarty to earn more than that reported salary in either England or France, prompting a tough decision for the flanker.
Whereas Moriarty had previously been exempt from “Gatland’s Law”, should he choose to stay in England or head to France, rather than returning to Wales with an offer on the table from the WRU, he would no longer get a free pass in terms of international selection. He would have to compete with the likes of George North, Jamie Roberts and Taulupe Faletau, who all also turned down WRU offers to move or stay outside of Wales.
Gatland’s Law, or the WRU Senior Players Selection Policy as it is officially known, has been roundly criticised by players, fans and the media alike and any changes to the policy as a result this season could help sway Moriarty one way or the other.
Some have called for the policy to be scrapped and players based anywhere to be available for selection, whilst others have also called for it to be scrapped, but for a selection policy of Welsh-based players only to be adopted.
Needless to say, new Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann will not be keen to lose the abrasive flanker and will have convincing Moriarty to stay, very high on his list of priorities.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments