WALES forward Ross Moriarty will miss the Dragons’ final festive derby against the Scarlets on Saturday (kick-off 5.15pm) after failing to get the all clear from concussion.

The Lions tourist sat out the narrow loss at Cardiff Blues and win against the Ospreys after reporting concussion symptoms in the aftermath of the European Challenge Cup clash at Clermont Auvergne.

Moriarty also suffered a blow to the head in Wales’ autumn finale against South Africa so the Dragons are taking a cautious approach.

The 24-year-old, a high-profile recruit from Gloucester last summer, is yet to return to full training and will not feature in Llanelli.

The Dragons then face European clashes against Timisoara Saracens and Clermont Auvergne, a pair of dead rubbers in the Challenge Cup, before Warren Gatland names his Six Nations squad.

“With concussion we will not rush it, player welfare always comes first and until Ross is able to pass those recovery protocols he won’t be considered,” said caretaker coach Ceri Jones.

“We will take our lead from the medics, we can’t do any more than that. As soon as Ross is available for selection believe me, we will think about selecting him.”

Wales lock Cory Hill has played the last three games at blindside flanker and joined forces with Aaron Wainwright and Harri Keddie in the festive derbies.

Ollie Griffiths is still a week away from a return to action after suffering a knee injury at Northampton at the start of December, while Nic Cudd and James Benjamin are other options after being replacements against the Blues and Ospreys.

The Dragons are nursing a few bumps and bruises, while the management are considering sticking with a winning formula after the dramatic 23-22 victory against the Ospreys.

Jones & Co made just one change for that clash after being impressed with the battling display against the Blues – tighthead Aaron Jarvis coming in for the suspended Lloyd Fairbrother – and are unlikely to tinker too much for Llanelli.

“Everyone is there or thereabouts,” said Jones. “It’s been a bruising couple of weeks so we have had to manage a few bodies, but we are looking good.

“We’ve had a tough run of games, so we need to make sure that we are going into the game able to sustain that level of effort and performance.

“We have a few tough decisions to make with the likes of Richard Hibbard, Lewis Evans, Nic Cudd, Tyler Morgan able to come in a do a huge job for us.

“I will be challenging Barry (Maddocks, backs coach) and the rest of the coaching team to look at their areas and who we can pick to do the best job against the Scarlets.”

Wales wing Hallam Amos is in full training after recovering from the sickness that hindered his preparations for the derby win against the Ospreys.

His fellow international Morgan missed out last weekend despite being fit again after concussion because the management opted to stick with the midfield combination of Jarryd Sage and Adam Warren.