Moriarty wants to secure Wales spot

Editor

Gloucester flanker Ross Moriarty wants to build on his strong club performances to secure a spot in Wales' three-Test touring squad to New Zealand in June.

Moriarty made his Six Nations debut over the weekend in Cardiff against Italy, coming on as early as the 16th minute to replace the injured Justin Tipuric.

The 21-year-old back-rower scored two of Wales nine tries in their emphatic 67-14 victory over the Azzuri.

"It was obviously a shock to me when I got called up to the summer camps. And it was nice to get called up again after I'd been left out, to go on and get a few games during the World Cup," Moriarty told the Gloucester website.

"And I was pleased to get called up again to the Six Nations camp at the start of the year. It's been pretty surreal really.

"I've been in and out of the camp since the start of the Six Nations and trying to do what I can in training.

"I finally got that opportunity at the weekend when I got on early, due to an injury to Tips which wasn't nice."

The replacement number seven was chuffed with his performance but he concedes that he will have to work hard to maintain his fine form for both club and country.

"But it was good for me to get 60 minutes in and I enjoyed myself. I felt I played a pretty good role in the game," he added.

"I still have a few games left during the Premiership season and in the Challenge Cup which is big for Gloucester. I need to keep my performances up if I want to be involved in the New Zealand tour. know that I can't rely on one game in the Six Nations to be on that flight.

"I've been feeling good in recent weeks although we've had a few disappointing games with Gloucester. I was involved in the one against Worcester, which was disappointing for us. But, leading up to that, beating Wasps was a big achievement, we hadn't beaten them in a few years, and it was nice to be involved and play a pretty big role in that."