Moriarty in welcome fitness boost for Wales

WALES have received a timely boost with the news that Ross Moriarty is to return to rugby ahead of the Six Nations.

The 24-year-old Dragons back rower has been sidelined since suffering concussion in the European Challenge Cup clash with Clermont Auvergne on December 15.

But he has been pencilled in for a comeback in the Guinness PRO14 encounter against Munster on January 26.

Wales kick-off their Six Nations campaign five days later with a fixture against France in Paris, so the call for Warren Gatland, assuming he names Moriarty in his squad for the tournament, is whether to release him for that Munster match for game-time or keep him in camp.

There would still be doubts about whether the Lion would be gameready against France. But Gatland will be pleased to learn of his return.

Moriarty performed outstandingly for Wales last summer, with his 26 tackles in the opening Test against Argentina off the graph in terms of defensive resolve.

A dismissal in the final seconds of the final Test blotted his copybook, but he was undoubtedly in credit over the three games. However, injuries have been a problem this term.

He suffered a knock against Scotland in Wales’s autumn series opener and was concussed against South Africa three weeks later. Then came the setback against Clermont.

Gatland is also waiting on news of Taulupe Faletau, who has been sidelined by a broken arm since early October, while Dan Lydiate is also sidelined by injury, along with James Davies and long-term casualty Aaron Shingler.