ROSS Moriarty is confident that the Dragons now have the depth to cope without their Wales contingent during the long autumn period.

The 26-year-old will be away on Test duty until December along with fellow back row forward Aaron Wainwright, hooker Elliot Dee, tighthead Leon Brown, centre Nick Tompkins and wing/full-back Jonah Holmes.

While Wales are taking on France and Scotland before four Autumn Nations Cup fixtures, the Dragons have a block of six Guinness PRO14 action that pits them against Ulster in Belfast, Munster and Connacht in Newport, Glasgow at Scotstoun Stadium, Edinburgh at Rodney Parade then Benetton in Treviso.

Last season Dean Ryan's men endured heavy defeats in home fixtures against the two Italian sides that clashed with international fixtures but in 2020/21 there seems to be more cover.

Experience has been added in the shape of former Wales and Lions centre Jamie Roberts and ex-Leicester prop Greg Bateman while the likes of Adam Warren, Jared Rosser, Richard Hibbard and Aaron Jarvis are able to slot in for the Test absentees.

Even without Moriarty and Wainwright, the back row can feature Wales hopefuls Ollie Griffiths and Taine Basham.

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"We made a quite a few new signings and got the win last Friday, even if it wasn't as comfortable as we would have liked," said Moriarty.

"I think that we have got a good group of boys now and have got strength in depth. Jamie has come in and that has helped us a lot, he's got so much experience and is still a great player.

"There are plenty of back rowers to pick from and they will want to be here with Wales as well, so they will be doing the best they can.

"We all know what Taine is capable off and he had a good game against Zebre. He will be disappointed at not being here but will be doing everything he can to put his name forward."

It promises to be a busy season for the Wales contingent, who will return from the autumn for Champions Cup games and then festive derbies before heading back into Test camp.

But Moriarty, who had a 24-week gap between facing England at Twickenham and the Ospreys in Swansea because of the coronavirus pandemic, is relishing the hectic calendar.

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"There are a lot of games crammed in, we have the six games coming up and then will be back with our clubs and it won't be long until the Six Nations starts," said the abrasive back rower, speaking at the launch of the new Macron Wales jersey.

"Rugby seasons are always hard, we don't normally have this many games in the autumn but we have had such a long time off that we are not bothered by the amount of games we will be playing. I am just excited to be able to play rugby again."

Moriarty was a Lions tourist in 2017 when he suffered a tour-ending nerve injury against New Zealand Provincial Barbarians in the opening fixture.

Earning another call from Warren Gatland for the planned tour to face world champions South Africa is the carrot at the end of a long 2020/21.

"The goal at the end will be to be on that Lions tour for everyone that is involved in international rugby," he said.

"Everyone will be fighting for the spots. We've got a lot of rugby between then and now and everyone will be looking to put their best foot forward."