WALES back row forward Ross Moriarty won’t be released back to the Dragons for Saturday’s Guinness PRO14 clash with Munster at Rodney Parade.

The 24-year-old hasn’t played since suffering a concussion against Clermont Auvergne in the European Challenge Cup on December 15.

Moriarty was still named by Warren Gatland in his squad for the Six Nations and the Wales boss suggested last week that he could release the number eight/blindside to get some minutes under his belt ahead of the tournament opener in Paris.

But with a six-day turnaround from the fixture with Munster in Newport, Gatland has now decided to keep the summer signing from Gloucester in camp.

"He's probably someone that - if I'm honest - I wouldn't be worried about," said Gatland, of Moriarty.

"The reason I'm saying that, I was surprised in the summer how little rugby he'd had, and he played all three matches.

"I didn't think he'd be able to get through that but he got better and better as the matches went on.

"He's still young, he's raring to go, excited and says he'll be alright.

"He's a competitor, but it's about us assessing him this week and seeing where he is. To make sure we do the due diligence on him so that we're comfortable in terms of that selection."

The Dragons were braced to be without Moriarty against Munster.

Wales will release one player for regional action this weekend with lock Jake Ball featuring for the Scarlets at Leinster on Friday.

Full-back Leigh Halfpenny (concussion) has been ruled out of the France game while scrum-half Gareth Davies and centre Scott Williams are doubts.