WALES ace Ross Moriarty has apologised for the red card that could lead to his Dragons career starting on the sidelines.

The number eight was dismissed at the death of the stunning 30-12 win against Argentina in Santa Fe, a success that earned a first series win at the home of the Pumas since 1999.

Moriarty, who had enjoyed an excellent tour after an injury-hit 2017/18, was shoved in the back by Nicolas Sanchez and reacted by getting the home fly-half in a choke hold.

He ignored the pleas of Irish touch judge Andrew Brace to release the Argentine - leading to the Pumas' medic getting involved and shoving Moriarty in the face - and the back row forward was dismissed by Jaco Peyper after the South African referee viewed the television footage.

Dragons supporters have been given a glimpse of what their side have signed with Moriarty's strong running and hard hitting in defence, but now it is likely that they will have to wait to see the Lions tourist in action after his move from Gloucester.

The 24-year-old will face a disciplinary hearing with a ban likely ahead of the start of the Guinness PRO14 season on the August 31.

"Sorry for my reaction at the end of the game," Moriarty posted on Instagram shortly after the final whistle.

"Extremely proud of this squad and our performances on tour. Didn't want to end it on that note!"

Moriarty's boss Warren Gatland didn't allow the incident to take the shine off Wales' hat-trick of June victories.

"Ross has just reacted after being hit from behind and he grabbed him," said the head coach. "It's disappointing, I'm not too sure it was a red card but you accept the referee's decision.

"His only bonus is he perhaps gets another couple of weeks of pre-season! In fairness to Ross, he's disappointed in himself in the way that he reacted to being hit in the back.

"He's apologised and he's apologised to the player. It's disappointing but we won't take too much out of that."

Moriarty was defended by one of his predecessors in Wales' 8 jersey with Ryan Jones, a pundit for Channel 4, saying that fiery nature is what makes the back rower so formidable.

"Ross will be bitterly disappointed," said the former captain. "There is a guy who has had a fantastic tour and it's guys like him who the future of Welsh rugby will be built upon.

"You can't take that out of Ross either, we saw a glimpse of his personality and he is a 100 per center. He is an all-action character, who throws himself into every tackle and carries the ball 100 per cent.

"He reacted and he will learn from it, but it doesn't detract from his tour or the performance of the team."

The three-Test tour has provided Gatland with a number of selection headaches.

Dragons lock Cory Hill has continued to grow on the Test stage while his Rodney teammates Hallam Amos, who scored from full-back against the Springboks and on Saturday, and hooker Elliot Dee have impressed in the absence of Lions.

"I haven't seen a group this hungry for a while," said Gatland. "A lot of people were sceptical about the tour and wrote us off so we have achieved a great amount.

"The biggest advantage bigger nations like New Zealand have is that when someone puts on a jersey they know there are four or five guys behind waiting for it if you mess up.

"Sometimes in smaller nations if you get comfortable, which can happen when you don't have much strength in depth, people can get complacent."