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Wales back-rower fires back at Ackermann

Cape Town - Wales back-rower Ross Moriarty has hit back at Gloucester coach Johan Ackermann after he criticised the player for not involving him in talks over his future.

The Newport Gwent Dragons look to have secured the British and Irish Lion's signature, beating Scarlets and Cardiff Blues in the process.

Moriarty's departure has been motivated by Wales' new selection policy that states you must play for a region to be eligible for the national side if you have less than 60 caps.

“I must be honest Ross hasn’t spoken to me at all, he hasn’t even come and seen me at any stage discussing contracts or what are his future plans, or where he wants to be and why he wants to go etcetera," Ackermann told Wales Online.

“If he doesn’t come and speak with me I can’t help him or comment on where I think he must be.

“My door is always open so I would love him to come and talk but if he’s made up his mind either or, rugby teams are built around more than one person."

Moriarty, 23, has only taken to the field once this season after suffering nerve damage in his back during the Lions' tour of New Zealand last summer.

Moriarty turned to social media to respond to these comments, suggesting that communication works both ways.

After retweeting a news article containing Ackermann's quotes, he said: "I don’t recall in my last contract for Gloucester that I was supposed to go and ask for a new one."

Ackermann, who led the Lions to back-to-back Super Rugby finals before departing for England, has helped Gloucester to fifth in the Aviva Premiership after eight matches of the season.

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