Scarlets statement: Ross Moriarty social media post

Scarlets have said that they are 'extremely disappointed' to learn of an incident involving the cousin of Wales back row Ross Moriarty, who was apparently verbally abused at the Parc Y Scarlets at the weekend.

Dragons No.8 Moriarty was involved in a fight with Scarlets back row Sione Kalamafoni, with the Tongan sent off for punching the Wales star twice during the feisty Welsh URC derby.

In response, Kalamafoni was given a red card after throwing punches at Moriarty. A disciplinary panel later imposed a two-week ban on Kalamafoni, citing the "highly provocative and potentially dangerous actions by Dragons No 8" as a factor in the length of the ban.

Abuse was hurled at Moriarty by Scarlets fans, with some directing their ire at Moriarty's teenage cousin after she asked them to stop shouting at her the former British & Irish Lions star.

Moriarty wrote on Instagram that: "I do not mind the abuse I receive online or on a rugby pitch from fans there will always be 2 sides, but to learn that on the weekend my little cousin who is 13 had grown men screaming in her face for asking them to stop abusing me verbally that does not sit right with me or should not sit right at any sports ground. That is a line I really hope people should not think is right to cross."

The Scarlets have now responded: “We are extremely disappointed to read of the incident involving Ross Moriarty’s cousin at the New Year’s Day match against the Dragons.

"We work extremely hard with our supporters’ organisations Crys16 and Scarlets Officials Supporters Group to create a family-friendly environment for home and away fans at Parc y Scarlets and to hear of a young girl receiving verbal abuse from a fan is wholly unacceptable.

"We have a zero-tolerance policy to abuse of any nature at our stadium and encourage supporters to report such incidents to the club. If the family would like to get in touch with us we will investigate this further.”