RossMoriarty

Ross Moriarty is the son of former Wales back row Paul Moriarty, while his uncle Richard also played international rugby so it’s no surprise that youngest member of the clan has taken to Test rugby seamlessly.

Born in St Helens in Lancashire, where his father was playing rugby league, Moriarty’s initial steps into age-group internationals were with England.

The back row was educated in Swansea and played his junior rugby at Gorseinon before joining Hartpury College where an impressive campaign in 2012-13 helped him break into the Gloucester Rugby first team ranks.

He went on to be selected for the England Under-20 Six Nations squad and was part of the side for their first Junior World Championship success in 2013, a title they successfully defended in 2014.

Eligible for both England and Wales, Moriarty was selected by the latter for their Rugby World Cup squad in 2015 and made his international debut against Ireland in a tournament warm-up fixture.

He came off the bench twice during the World Cup itself, against Uruguay in Wales’ first game and against Australia later in the pool stage.

A single appearance followed in the following year’s RBS 6 Nations where he scored two tries against Italy – his only international scores to date.

And since being selected to start against England at Twickenham in May 2016, he has been an almost ever-present member of the Welsh back row including in this year’s RBS 6 Nations.

The 22-year-old was so impressive during the Championship, he managed to hold onto his place despite the return from injury of 2013 British & Irish Lion Taulupe Faletau.

The Gloucester man has already picked up the Young Player of the Year for his club and is well on his way to 100 appearances for the Cherry & Whites which is no mean feat at his young age.