Gloucester Rugby will have one representative in the opening round of the Six Nations after Ross Moriarty was announced as part of the back row for Wales’ home game with Scotland on Saturday.
Moriarty, 23, will play in his last NatWest Six Nations Championships as a Gloucester player before joining the Dragons in the summer.
The Welsh Rugby Union recently announced plans to only pick players outside of Wales that had 60 or more caps to their name, so the flanker has taken the decision to return to his home nation to continue to be available for selection.
TEAM NEWS Wales name team for @SixNationsRugby opener against @Scotlandteam, with @JoshAdams951 set for debut. Gêm enfawr yn @principalitysta! https://t.co/PnCmyDtWAa #WALvSCO pic.twitter.com/LWVDnL3tdE
— Welsh Rugby Union (@WelshRugbyUnion) January 30, 2018
He has made just three appearances for the Cherry and Whites this season following an injury-ravaged campaign, after being plagued with the back injury that cut short his Lions tour this summer, so isn’t expected to play the full 80 minutes.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland said: “He hasn’t had a lot of rugby, Ross (Moriarty), but we know what a quality player he is and hopefully he gets through 60 minutes and we’ll see some of his explosive ball-carrying.
“It’s fantastic that he gets a chance and great that he’s going to be playing his rugby in Wales next year.”
Moriarty left for the Wales camp with the full blessing of club side Gloucester, as defence coach Johnny Bell wished him every success for the upcoming championship just after the squad announcement.
He said: “I think with Ross, it’s been a long road to recovery for him and it’s been a really frustrating time for him.
“It’s great to see him back, fully fit and raring to go.
“I think it’s natural that if you’re the Welsh national coach and you see a fully fit Ross Moriarty then you are going to get excited.”
There is no place in the team, however, for Gloucester back Owen Williams, who has been released back to the Cherry and Whites following a surprise omission from the Wales squad.
The 25-year old is expected to report back to Kingsholm later this afternoon despite impressing at inside centre for Wales during the autumn internationals, and looked a certainty for a spot after the withdrawal of Ospreys kicker Dan Biggar.
But Gatland has chosen to go with Scarlets duo Rhys Patchell and Hadleigh Parkes as part of the backs line-up, with their being no place even on the bench for Williams.
That means he goes back into contention for Gloucester’s crunch Anglo Welsh tie with Newcastle Falcons on Saturday, and the 25-year old has been challenged to put in a starring role for the side in order to win back the affections of Gatland.
Gloucester’s head of academy Richard Whiffin commented: “It’s a shame for him but I suppose it shows the strength they that is in these international squads.
“He has been unlucky at this point but he’s just got to come back, knuckle down and when he gets back into camp with those guys put his best foot forwards.
“For him, I think it is about being able to prove to Warren that when he gets an opportunity in a Gloucester shirt, he can do exactly what he did for Wales in the autumn.”
In further Wales squad news, ex-Cinderford winger Josh Adams is due to make his debut for the National side following a scintillating run of form in the Premiership with Worcester Warriors.
Congratulations to @JoshAdams951 who is named in the Wales starting line-up to take on Scotland this Saturday! #FirstCap https://t.co/bp5uTR2nvm
— Worcester Warriors (@WorcsWarriors) January 30, 2018
With nine tries to his name already this season, Adams sits top of the try-scoring charts in the league, and has scored 13 in total across all competitions.
As a result he gets the opportunity on the right wing, with Gatland keen to see him transfer that club form onto the international stage.
He said: “It’s a great opportunity for Josh. We’ve been watching him pretty closely.
“He’s the top try-scorer in the Premiership in England at the moment and he’s been scoring tries so that’s why he gets an opportunity.”