Griffiths returns to Ospreys

The 30-year-old, an Ospreys ‘original’ with 123 regional appearances to his credit from two prior spells in the black jersey, will report for duty at Llandarcy Academy of Sport this week.
 
Bangor-born Griffiths originally signed for the region from Caernarfon in the summer of 2003 ahead of the first ever season of regional rugby, and made his debut as a replacement in a 35-21 away defeat to Leinster in September of that year. His 100th appearance came away to the Dragons in April 2011.
 
A part of four league winning campaigns, he left the Ospreys for London Irish in the summer of 2012, returning on loan six months later as much needed injury cover after the region lost three front-line tight-heads. He then spent 2013/14 at London Welsh, helping them clinch promotion back to the Aviva Premiership at the first attempt.
 
Recruitment and Retention Manager, Andy Lloyd, said Griffiths will add much needed experience and cover in a key position for the coming season:
 
“It’s positive news for us in that he is someone with bags of experience in a key position, who will be available to us all season long” said Lloyd.
 
“He’s a durable character, a big presence around the environment, and moving away from the region over the last couple of years has allowed him to mature and realise exactly what he had here. In his loan period two seasons ago I think we really saw the best of him, it was the best he’s played in an Ospreys shirt. With the experience gained from different environments in recent seasons, we expect him to come back into the group and be a positive influence.”
 
Griffiths is the sixth player to sign for the Ospreys ahead of next season, following on from Worcester and Fiji centre Josh Matavesi, Eastern Province Kings second row Rynier Bernardo, Newport Gwent Dragons pair Dan Evans (full back) and Sam Parry (hooker), and Carmarthen Quins loose-head prop Gareth Thomas.