Ross Moriarty: Wales Six Nations boost as Dragons back row set for injury return

Ross Moriarty was injured playing against New Zealand in his 49th international in October 2021

Wales flanker Ross Moriarty is set to try to prove his Six Nations fitness by making his Dragons return against Benetton on 28 January.

Moriarty, Ospreys fly-half Gareth Anscombe, Scarlets scrum-half Kieran Hardy and Cardiff props Rhys Carre and Dillon Lewis have been released.

Exeter lock Christ Tshiunza has tested positive for Covid-19 and will begin a period of isolation.

Wales open their title defence against Ireland in Dublin on 5 February.

Moriarty, 27, has not played since suffering a shoulder injury against New Zealand in October 2021.

Wales coach Wayne Pivac named the British and Irish Lions back row in his squad and wants him to prove his fitness.

Moriarty would win his 50th cap if selected against Ireland and is competing for one of the three starting back-row spots with Aaron Wainwright, Taine Basham, Ellis Jenkins and Jac Morgan.

"I was keen to get Ross back in the environment playing, it's been significant time," said Dragons director of rugby Dean Ryan.

"He's a huge part of our energy and emotion. Not having him has highlighted the loss that he is within the side.

"We want him back playing, it was a significant injury, you can see how important he is to the national team that they'll bring him straight back in.

"This is about getting him game time and we'll assess off the back of it with Wayne [Pivac] what is the best route forward.

"Ross is such a presence, his ability to come in and operate at the highest level is off the back of a sketchy game time unbelievable. His presence emotionally to be in a game and compete is outstanding.

"It's for Wayne to make the decision, but we have to make sure Ross is fit and he's at his best, not just against Ireland but for remaining games for both us and Wales."

Hooker Bradley Roberts will return to Ulster, while England-based players Dan Biggar, Louis Rees-Zammit, Callum Sheedy, Nick Tompkins and Tshiunza, if he was not isolating, always know they have to go back to their clubs this weekend because of World Rugby regulations.

The Welsh Rugby Union says Tshiunza returned a positive lateral flow test on Monday's entry screening and immediately went into isolation.

A subsequent PCR test taken on Monday confirmed the result and the 19-year-old will now isolate as per government guidelines.

Pivac confirmed it was an isolated case while said there were only minor bumps and bruises among the other 35 players in the squad.

"The whole squad and management have been tested again this morning (Wednesday), with everyone being negative," added Pivac.

"I am really disappointed for him as an individual, Covid-19 can crop up at any stage. Hopefully he can train with us next week and show us what he can do in this particular squad."