ROSS MUST BOSS GAME
ROSS MORIARTY admits he needs the game of his life in Rome today to make himself Mr Indispensable.
The Wales No.8 boasts a tattoo on his arm with a line from the poem The Indispensable Man by Saxon White Kessinger.
It reads: “Do just the best that you can, be proud of yourself, but remember there is no indispensable man.”
Moriarty knows he must disprove that message if he is to show enough against Italy in his Six Nations opener to keep injured Lions and Bath star Taulupe Faletau out of the Wales team.
Faletau is likely to be fit to face England next Saturday and Moriarty says: “Whether Toby is fit or not, I know I have to give my best.
“His coming back to full fitness will be great for the team. Whether that means I am not going to play, I’m not sure.”
Moriarty, 22, will win his 13th cap against the Italians, who are under new head coach Conor O’Shea and fancy their chances after beating South Africa last November.
To avoid an upset – 10 years after they last lost to Italy – Wales are likely to need Gloucester back-rower Moriarty to drain the power of Sergio Parisse, Italy’s eternal source of energy and inspiration.
Wales have prepared a Parisse Plan and Moriarty added: “We have a nominated Parisse in training, whoever fits the mould.
“He is a big man in their team and we have done a lot of analysis on him.
“He has always been one of the stand-out players for Italy and he is a quality player.
“I played against him in the last Six Nations when I came off the bench and it was a great experience.”
Moriarty will pack down in the back row alongside Justin Tipuric and Sam Warburton.