Moriarty deserves chance says Ryan
ROSS Moriarty is being given expert backing in his bid to step into the shoes of Taulupe Faletau.
The recommendation for Moriarty to fill the void caused by Faletau’s broken arm comes from the Bath No.8’s international predecessor, former captain Ryan Jones.
“Taulupe Faletau is a far better player than I ever was,’’ Jones said. “The same goes for Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric.
“We are the envy of every other home nation when it comes to back row contenders. I like the way Ross Moriarty plays and what he offers.
“Taulupe will be the number one No.8 at the World Cup and the Autumn series provides a timely opportunity to blood someone else. Ross deserves his chance.’’
The Wales squad to be named by head coach
Warren Gatland on Tuesday for the autumn will contain a powerful array of back row contenders despite the absence of Faletau, Sam Warburton’s retirement, and the longterm loss of Scarlet blindside Aaron Shingler, outstanding in the Six Nations but out until the New Year after a knee reconstruction.
The wealth of Welsh back row talent can be gauged by the selection of no fewer than 17 players during the 14 matches without Warburton while the Lions skipper made his abortive attempt to recover from neck surgery.
Nobody made more of an impact than Warburton’s Blues team-mate, Josh Navidi, Welsh rugby’s reigning player of the year whose ability to play across the back row gives him a priceless three-in-one quality. Injury may have put paid to Scarlets flanker James Davies in the shortterm but another openside has re-emerged in Ollie Griffiths of the Dragons.
“We are the envy of every other home nation when it comes to back row talent,’’ says Jones. “I have no idea what ‘Gats’ has in mind but the beauty about those in the running is that they offer him the choice of picking different types of back rows.
“On current form it would be hard to leave out Tipuric. Wales have more strength in depth in this particular department than at any time. Josh Navidi has been superb and Ellis Jenkins is highly regarded for the manner in which he has conducted himself. I could make a case for every one of them.’’
Gatland has a decision to make on one of his favourite players, Dan Lydiate. The 65-Test Lion, currently out of Ospreys action because of a shoulder ‘stinger,’ has not been seen on the Test stage for almost 12 months, mainly due to injury.
Wales have chosen a different back row for each of their last six internationals and picked the following personnel in the last 18 months: