Ollie Griffiths: 'Fantastic' back row set for century of Dragons appearances

Dragons back row Ollie Griffiths played three times last season due to injury

Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan says Ollie Griffiths is on a "different level" to anyone he has coached before.

The back row could reach a century of caps for the region in their United Rugby Championship (URC) season opener at home to Edinburgh on Saturday.

Griffiths, 28, is the youngest captain in Newport RFC's history along with skippering Wales Under-20s.

"He's on a different level to anyone I've coached before," said Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan.

"The effect he has single-handedly on a game, I enjoyed working with Josh Macleod at the Scarlets, I thought Josh could do things others couldn't do and Ollie mirrors that.

"Fingers-crossed we see more of Ollie on the pitch this season, we're stronger with Ollie and he will add to us every time he plays.

"I was watching some of his video highlights with it being his 100th game and he's a Welsh [international] player standard."

Griffiths won his solitary Wales cap against Tonga in 2017 and made his Dragons debut in 2014 against Ulster, but his career has been blighted with injuries and he played just three times last season.

"In Ollie's mind he's probably focused on playing more rugby," said Flanagan.

"But I'm sure there's a candle burning inside him to play for Wales, but it's about as many games he can play back-to-back for the Dragons."

This Saturday, Dragons will be without Wales World Cup squad members Elliott Dee, Rio Dyer and back row triumvirate Dan Lydiate, Taine Basham and Aaron Wainwright, but Flanagan was at pains to stress the quality still at the region.

"We've got another back rower that wants to go after that Wales shirt in Harrison Keddie, we're spoilt with the boys coming back," said the coach.

"Griffiths and Keddie have been awesome throughout the summer and they are fantastic players in their own right, it's going to be tough hopefully for the internationals to come back and earn their stripes here.

"I have no doubt that if Ollie Griffiths can get a season together he will definitely be one of the best back rowers in Wales."

Home head start

Dragons' game against Edinburgh at Rodney Parade on Saturday is one of four home games from their first five in the URC.

After winning both pre-season derbies, including a hard-fought 20-19 win over Ospreys at Rodney Parade, Flanagan is hoping to make the Dragons' home a "fortress" this season.

"Playing at home first game of the season is something we've looked forward to all summer," said Flanagan.

"In a tough league, the URC, you need to win your home games and Rodney Parade is a tough place to go.

"We were close in a lot of games last year that's why the pre-season has been pleasing because we were able to pull home in both games.

"With the first four out of five at home we want to start well and then we go to South Africa. We can be good on fast tracks but we need to go out there confident on the back of some wins. Four out of seven at home, let's go after them."

Champions Cup qualification

The URC confirmed on Tuesday that only the top eight sides in the league would qualify for the European Champions Cup next season, with no guaranteed place for the winner of the Welsh Shield.

Last season Cardiff won the Welsh Shield giving them a place in the Champions Cup despite finishing only 10th in the final overall standings, and the new system is something Flanagan supports.

"It's right isn't it, if you finish in the top eight you should be in Europe," said Flanagan.

"We've got the shields and the spin-off little tournaments and everyone wants to be the best in their patch.

"But if we're a league that wants to be competitive, every point should matter and if you finish in the top eight you've earned the right to get into the top competition."