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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Mark Orders

The rare Wales rugby achievement that went under the radar amid the Grand Slam euphoria

Amid the champagne corks popping and the euphoric scenes in Cardiff after Wales’ Grand Slam win over Ireland, a notable achievement perhaps didn’t receive the airtime it deserved.

But the Moriarty family would have cherished it all the same.

For when Wales defeated Joe Schmidt’s side, Ross Moriarty and his dad Paul secured their places in rugby history as the first Welsh father and son combination to enjoy Triple Crown success.

Moriarty senior’s moment of triumph came in 1988 after he scored the try that helped Wales to a 12-9 victory over Ireland in Dublin. Thirty-one years on, Ross made it a rare family double in the 25-7 victory last weekend.    

Neither man is the type to want a fuss.

Indeed, both always seem happier when the limelight is focused elsewhere.  

But an achievement unique in 138 years of Wales playing rugby should be celebrated and Paul acknowledged the day a week last Saturday as a special one.

“It’s a nice mark that a few people have commented on,” he said.

“I’m more pleased for Ross than anything else.

“I know how hard he has worked over the years and it means a huge amount to see all that work rewarded.

“Every parent with a son or daughter takes pride in what they do and I am no different. He’s done really well.”

Indeed he has.

Alun Wyn Jones played almost the entire Grand Slam decider with knee injury that's now ruled him out for a month  

When Wales received the news in January that Taulupe Faletau would miss the tournament through injury, some were pessimistic about the prospects of Warren Gatland’s side.

Paul Moriarty (2nd left) and Dai Young (3rd left) together on Wales duty in 1988 (Trinity Mirror Copyright)

How could such a hole be filled? Faletau is a world-class player and such specimens are by their nature rare sorts. How could Wales cover for him?

But Moriarty performed with such conviction that few saw need to mention Faletau’s name as the championship wore on.

When he wasn’t collecting restarts he was putting in strong carries, 51 of them over the five rounds, with 81 metres made. There were also 62 tackles. It was bruising, uncompromising graft from a player who wears his heart on his sleeve.

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He has been criticised in the past for failing to count to 10 at the first sign of an on-pitch disagreement, but he plays on the edge and in the balance between fire and ice he's always going to be positioned near the hotter end of the scale.

Warren Gatland had said on the eve of the tournament of the Dragons: "He’s a real competitor. He loves being on the rugby field, loves being physical, loves playing for Wales and wants to win. There is a bit of an edge about him.

"Let’s hope the red mist doesn't come down too quickly because it can come down pretty fast. He is learning to control himself a little bit and that’s a work-on for him.

"He understands that. He is a quality guy to have in the side and a fantastic rugby player."

It was to Moriarty's credit that there were no eruptions this time, with the 24-year-old playing with controlled aggression.

Maybe his best position is blindside flanker. But in Faletau's absence Wales didn't have a No. 8, so Moriarty stepped in.

The Grand Slam was a first for the family, with the 1988 Wales side losing 10-9 to France in the final round of matches.

Richard Moriarty, Paul’s brother and Ross’s uncle, led Wales to third place in the 1987 World Cup, still their best finish in the global tournament.

He and Paul had long tipped Ross to do special things in the game.

And the 2017 Lions tourist is well on his way to justifying those beliefs. 

 
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