Ross Moriarty: Flanker boosts Wales with Gloucester return

Ross Moriarty has played for Gloucester since 2012

Wales have received a Six Nations boost with back rower Ross Moriarty returning from a back injury suffered on the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour.

Wales will be without back row players Sam Warburton, Taulupe Faletau and Dan Lydiate for the Six Nations.

Moriarty has played only once in seven months but starts in Gloucester's Challenge Cup tie at Agen on Friday, 12 January.

"He's fit and training again," Gloucester backs coach Tim Taylor said.

Moriarty suffered nerve damage in his back during the Lions' opening match in June 2017 against the NZ Provincial Barbarians.

The 23-year-old has played just once for Gloucester this season, in an Anglo-Welsh Cup match in November, but is back three weeks before Wales start their Six Nations campaign against Scotland on Saturday, 3 February.

Moriarty will be leaving Gloucester in the summer and returning to Wales after signing with Dragons.

Wales coach Warren Gatland also has injury issues behind the scrum as centre Jonathan Davies is out for the season and Dragons wing Hallam Amos suffered an ankle problem in the Christmas derby match against Cardiff Blues.