WRU have been out bid for Ross Moriarty - Gatland

Wales headcoach Warren Gatland has revealed that the WRU’s Dual National Contract bid for Ross Moriarty has been bested – currently at least – by another bidder.

His comments suggest that the favorites to land the backrow’s signature – the WRU owned Dragons – may not be the final destination for Moriarty.

Commenting at the Wales team announcement on the bidding war, Gatland said: “With Ross Moriarty, I haven’t spoken to him.

“I can guarantee you there has been no influence from the Union.

“We made him an offer of a national dual contract that we felt was a reasonable figure, someone else has come in prepared to pay more money from their personal point of view.

“All the regions are on a salary cap, they can’t go over that salary cap, there has been no influence from the union in terms of a decision.”

A source has told RugbyPass that the Newport based Dragons have not – as of yet – signed the 23-year-old.

RugbyPass also understands that the Moriarty – who was born in St Helens – has turned down at least one offer from Pro14 Champions the Scarlets, but that the Cardiff Blues are still very much interested in his signature.

Moriarty further distanced himself from current club Gloucester, tweeting: “I don’t recall in my last contract for Gloucester that I was supposed to go and ask for a new one”.

That tweet has since been deleted.