WARREN Gatland says that the Welsh Rugby Union were keen to bring Ross Moriarty back on a national dual contract – but that they were out-bid by the WRU-owned Dragons.

The 23-year-old is close to agreeing a deal to head to the Rodney Parade region at the end of his Gloucester contract next season.

The Lions forward was on the radar of English and French clubs but the new rule that means the 13-times capped back rower needs to play in Wales in order to play for Wales is set to help bring him home.

The WRU approached Moriarty with the offer of a dual contract but the Argus understands the Scarlets and Dragons, who were taken over by the governing body last summer, pursued privately-funded deals.

Gatland says that the national management have left the decision down to the strong-running forward, who is currently sidelined by a back injury.

“I haven’t spoken to Ross Moriarty and can guarantee there has been no influence from the Union,” said the Wales head coach, who will prosper from still being able to pick the blindside/number eight while offering him medical support.

“We made him an offer of a national dual contract which we thought was a reasonable figure and someone else has come in with more money from their own personal point of view.

“All the regions are on salary cap so they can’t go over that.”

While Moriarty is set to return to Wales on a regional contract, George North has already signed a dual deal with a decision yet to be made on his regional destination.

Whether it’s the Scarlets, Ospreys, Dragons or Cardiff Blues, Gatland believes the winger can get back to his best form on his return from Northampton.

“It is massive,” said the New Zealander. “The big thing is a lot of the players recognise at the moment the benefits of the national dual contract is limiting the amount of games which is 16 for their clubs and an eight week break in the summer as they are managed from a national point of view.

“They are looking to try and extend the lengths of players’ careers and finding them something at the end of their careers.

“We are seeing the benefit of Jonathan Davies coming back from France with his form but unfortunately he has picked up an injury at the moment.

“George made a decision, not a financial one, he felt it was the best time having had that experience away to come home at 25 and think about the next four or five years and what is best for his rugby.

“He decided it was he was back in Wales.

“It is down to him which region. There was no pressure on George after he made the decision to come back now.

“We told him at the time to see what is going to happen. One of our regions [Cardiff Blues] won’t have a coach appointed yet for next season so maybe wait and see who that is.

“Maybe see what is happening at the other regions before he makes his decision where he would like to go and whether the region wants him to go there.”