Griffin aims to prove fitness after heart diagnosis

Sydney-born Archie Griffin has played three internationals for Wales

Wales and Bath prop Archie Griffin is set to be fit for the autumn internationals despite being diagnosed with a heart condition.

Griffin, 23, has not played since coming on as a replacement in Bath's opening Premiership game against Northampton on 20 September when he felt unwell afterwards.

Bath said he was absent for a few weeks because of illness and Griffin has since been diagnosed with pericarditis, a condition where the sac around the heart becomes inflamed.

"It did come out of nowhere," Griffin told Mail Online.

"It was scary I woke up on the Monday and it felt like someone was stood on my chest, it was that tight.

"It didn't impact my fitness, my breathing, or how hard I was able to run in the game.

"It just felt like a massive pain in my chest.

"It was horrible. I almost wish like I'd done another sort of injury or that I'd done something wrong. But this has just come out of nowhere.

"There are no usual causes for it. It's just unlucky, I guess. But these things happen and you've just got to keep moving."

Taking no risks

Archie Griffin has been in full training with Wales this week despite only playing 28 minutes of club rugby with Bath during the 2024-25 season

Griffin was ordered to completely rest for a couple of weeks before later being cleared to return to full training with Bath as he recovered from a diagnosis that is not regarded as a permanent condition.

"At the time, I obviously didn't know what it was," said Griffin.

"After the game, I had lots of check-ups and found out what had happened. I had to take lots of medication.

"I had two weeks off exercise, apart from walking my dog, before slowly getting back into full training.

"I've got to keep an eye on it. Symptom-wise, it's something I'll monitor. It's a bit like concussion.

"I'll report any symptoms to the physios and I'm not going to lie about it because it's my heart. You can't take any risks."

Griffin has been picked by Warren Gatland in his 35-man squad for Wales' autumn internationals against Fiji, Australia and South Africa.

He has linked up with Wales this week, alongside fellow tight-head props Keiron Assiratti and Henry Thomas, and hopes to feature in the opening game against Fiji on 10 November in Cardiff.

Griffin, who impressed when starting in Wales' two Test defeats against Australia last summer, is just grateful to be back playing.

"It's made it more clear to me now that all I want to do is play rugby," said Griffin.

"Not being able to do anything for two weeks shows you not to take it for granted."