If he ever wanted a job reference to fall back on as a teenager, then Ollie Griffiths had one from Martyn Williams.

Griffiths was just 19 when he received an endorsement that positively glowed from one of Wales’ all-time great openside flankers.

Having watched him excel for Wales Under-20s in a win over Ireland at Colwyn Bay, Williams enthused: “He was quite simply sensational.

"I have not seen an openside perform like that in many a year.

"His all-round game and his carries were unbelievable, along with his work-rate and tackling. He has a burst of speed that is exactly what Sam Warburton has.

"I would get him on a five-year or ten-year deal straight away! He is going to be a star.

"We are lucky at the moment in that we have Justin Tipuric and Sam Warburton but this boy is not going to be far behind if he keeps playing like that."

That was in 2015.

Others were of the same opinion. Forget the crystal ball: the youngster was going to play for Wales, and possibly many times. It appeared to be written in the stars.

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It may yet turn out that way, but the story hasn’t quite gone as expected.

Griffiths is now 24, with 66 Dragons appearances behind him.

But with Wales he’s banked just one cap and then in a Test that saw him come on for just two minutes.

Ollie Griffiths (left) lines up for Wales ahead of facing Tonga in 2017

It’s two years ago this weekend that Griffiths appeared off the bench against Tonga. The weather was awful and the game was pretty much done and dusted by the time the youngster from Newbridge took the field. The statistics show he didn’t make a carry or a tackle.  If it was an opportunity, it wasn’t much of one.

That after a season which saw him make close on 200 tackles, 166 carries and 20-plus turnovers, form many insisted merited more than just a couple of minutes in a Welsh jersey, especially with Messrs Tipuric and Warburton away with the Lions.

HOT COMPETITION

So what has gone wrong?

“Wales have nine other world-class flankers,” quipped a mate when asked that very question.

They don’t, but it seems reasonable to say that in Tipuric, Josh Navidi, Ellis Jenkins and James Davies they have at least four with claims to such exalted status, while Thomas Young and Sam Lewis are not exactly shabby, either.

INJURIES, AND MORE INJURIES

Ollie Griffiths is no stranger to the casualty room

 

Then there are the injuries Griffiths has suffered.

In 2017-18 he suffered jaw, ankle and hip problems.

Last term he spent more time on the sidelines because of pelvis, knee and arm issues.

It was once said no rugby player on earth is more familiar with pain that Jonny Wilkinson. At times over the past couple of years, Griffiths might beg to differ.

“The injuries haven’t helped him,” says former Wales flanker Rob Appleyard, who coached Griffiths at the Dragons.

“They haven’t just interrupted him. While he’s been out others have pushed on.

“But Ollie is a player with a lot to offer.

Ollie Griffiths has been in outstanding form
Ollie Griffiths is a diligent professional

“He was in the academy when I was at the Dragons and he was very professional even then, meticulous in his preparation, keeping track of his weights, following his programmes and watching his diet.  

“He always tried to make the best of the opportunities he had in training.

Former Wales flanker Rob Appleyard

“And he carries it through into match situations. Not only is he is quick and dynamic, he’s also  hungry for moments in the game.

“I saw him play in one match for the Dragons last season and he made virtually every break, every tackle and every turnover.

“He was the highlights reel.”

The bumps, then, don’t tell the complete story.

Griffiths has frequently been in immense form, never more so than when he achieved six turnovers in a league match against Edinburgh. Last term, he again started the season bang on top of his game, outshining some quality back-rowers.

“Nobody who has ever played with Ollie will question his abiity,” his former team-mate Ed Jackson said at the time.

“He is a freak athlete who is getting more and more experienced.

“He just needs to stay fit and if he does then it is only a matter of time before he is making waves internationally, never mind for the region.”

THE DRAGONS PROBLEM

Warren Gatland

 

Barely a month later, Griffiths missed the cut for Warren Gatland’s autumn squad, and not totally because of perceived deficiencies in his own form. Six Dragons were named in the group and Gatland not-unreasonably decided that to pack his line-up with more from Wales’ worst-performing region wasn’t exactly a sure-fire recipe for success.

When asked what else Griffiths needed to do, Wales’ coach replied: “The answer to him would be to just keep doing what he is doing, keep playing well and competing on the ball…and get the Dragons winning more. That makes a difference..

“Sometimes it is that plain. It’s not about individuals. It’s about a team collectively getting a performance and results.

"Ollie's a quality athlete. But we have real depth in that position."

Nor is the congestion easing, with Tommy Reffell and Jac Morgan, who has been playing No. 8 for Wales Under-20s but is seen by many as an openside, coming through.

Maybe if Wales viewed Griffiths as something other than an out-and-out No. 7  it would help.

There again, they have depth at blindside and at No. 8 Taulupe Faletau isn’t always going to be injured — hopefully.

SPECIAL

Lyn Jones coached Griffiths at the Dragons

 

But Griffiths’ admirers insist his cause isn’t lost.  

Team-mate Richard Hibbard has in the past described him as “phenomenal”, while his ex-Dragons coach Lyn Jones is another who still sees a way ahead for the youngster he helped bring through.

“Ollie was as hard-working and fit as any player I’ve had the privilege to coach,” says Jones, now in charge of the Russia national team.

“His standards were equal to anyone in Wales at the time.

“He did things in the contact area that were special for his size, he could bump tackles and get over the ball to either slow possession or simply take it from opponents.

“When he came into the side at the age of 19, he raised our standard of play.

“Wales are blessed with significant competition at seven but Ollie will add to it and better it when given his chance.”

PATIENCE

Ollie Griffiths

Appleyard adds: “The problem at the Dragons is that certain players can sometimes have to make up for the inability of others to do their jobs — to effectively cover for them.

“So a player in a very good side can actually get better because he is able to concentrate on his own job.

“If the Dragons can finally kick on and start controlling and winning games, it will allow each player to do his job better. If Dean Ryan sets in place the right environment it will help Ollie put himself in the shop window.  

“My guess is, though, it might take some injuries for him to move up the pecking order.”

Perhaps patience will need to be his watchword.

Josh Navidi was approaching 27 before he properly broke through at Test level.

The trick is not to give up hope.

Quality tends to win through.

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