Moriarty: I'm learning new tricks under Dragons boss Ryan

The back row forward has signed a fresh deal to stay at Rodney Parade after turning down approaches from sides in England and France.

The 25-year-old has made 17 appearances for the Dragons to go along with 25 caps since heading to Newport from Gloucester.

He returned from last year's World Cup to work with new director of rugby Ryan, his third Dragons boss after being signed by Bernard Jackman and then playing for caretaker coach Ceri Jones.

The Six Nations and the coronavirus pandemic mean that Moriarty has played just five times for Ryan but the former England forward has helped put a smile on his face.

"The Dragons have had a lot of negative seasons in the past but just going into training after the World Cup and seeing the positivity around the training ground had a big influence on me," said Moriarty.

"Dean has only coached me for a quite a short time but in that time he definitely said the right things and I was getting something out of his training sessions.

"I have developed different skills and he has opened up my eyes to different ways of playing the game, which I enjoyed.

"I've looked forward to going into training and playing games. Dean wants us to play to space and play smart, while we got to play off 10 quite a lot.

"With Sam (Davies) playing as well as he was it was quite easy to play outside him and when you have got a 10 who trusts you as a ball carrier and you trust him to put you in the right holes then that makes everybody's job a lot easier."

Moriarty's time at Gloucester came to a frustrating end after eight months out with a back injury suffered on the Lions tour and then a spat with coach Johan Ackermann.

He then endured a tough start to life at Rodney Parade with Jackman, who had worked hard to make the number eight/blindside his marquee signing, show the door just months later.

"It's been good to have a fresh start and I know where I stand," said Moriarty. "Me and Dean get on and I like what he brings to training and my game, hopefully he likes what I bring and I will keep trying to impress and keep him happy.

"I have definitely started playing some of my better rugby with the Dragons and then going into the Six Nations, although we didn't get the results there were some close games.

"In terms of me being happy and on the right trajectory, I was going that way and that's why I would have liked to have gone back to the Dragons (before the coronavirus pandemic) to continue."

Moriarty held talks with other teams but is looking forward to heading back to Ystrad Mynach when lockdown is over.

"If you've got a boss that you get along with and you agree with what they want, then it makes everything easier. I am happy off the pitch and happy on it," said the forward.

"I am just glad it is finished and I can look forward to the next few seasons with the Dragons and Dean."