It took 15 years... but Moriarty is so happy to be back at home

IT’S taken some 15 years, but Ross Moriarty has finally made it back to his home region as his career comes full circle.

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He grew up in Swansea and was part of the Ospreys Academy age-grade set up as a teenager.

However, a move across the border to Hartpury College saw him link up with Gloucester, where he made his name, ahead of spells with the Dragons and French club Brive.

But now, at 31, the 54-cap Welsh international back rower has returned home and is making his mark with the Ospreys.

He has shown up well for them - at both 6 and 8 - over the opening weeks of the BKT URC season and will be a key physical figure in tonight’s clash with Glasgow Warriors at Bridgend’s Brewery Field.

Moriarty was actually born in St Helens, on Merseyside, while his father Paul, was playing rugby league for Widnes, but he moved to Swansea at a young age.

“I grew up here, I went to school here, and growing up I always had an ambition to play for the Ospreys,” he says.

“But it just didn’t go that way for me, and I took a different route.

“It’s nice to be able to come home now.

“I actually made my professional debut against the Ospreys in Swansea, for Gloucester in the LV Cup in 2012.

“So it’s quite funny to be able to come back now and get to experience playing for them.

“This is where I am from, this is where my family is from, this is where my wife is from, so it makes sense for me to be here.

“It's my home club, and obviously, I am close to family.

“There are some fresh faces and some old faces as well with the boys I played with for Wales in the past. It’s been good.