Where there’s a Will, there’s a way!

The Ospreys hopeful, who captained Wales U18 in April, made his U20 debut in last Wednesday’s agonising 24-17 defeat to Australia.
 
It proved to be a lesson in accuracy for Jason Strange’s young side and there will be plenty more education for the Gowerton Sixth Form pupil, who is hoping to study geography at Swansea University in September.
 
Griffiths said: “I’m studying geography, history and for a Welsh Baccalaureate. I have two geography exams on Monday, two the following week and then one at the end of the trip.
 
“All the exams are at the exact same time as back home and I’ll be going to a local Georgian school to sit them so it’s a little bit different and very busy.
 
“I’ve tried to do little revision blocks when I can but I tried to get the bulk of it done before I came out as I knew I would be busy with a lot of analysis and homework for the games.
 
“So when all the boys are relaxing by the pool I try to go off and do half an hour revision here and there on my own. It’s busy at times but hopefully it will all be worth it.”
 
It has already been a steep learning curve for the second row, who is playing for the U20s a year early.
 
He has recently signed a new development deal with the Ospreys and can hardly believe the season he has had.
 
With the Swansea-based region a hot-bed of second-row talent, Griffiths not only has plenty of seniors to learn from, but he can see a clear pathway.
 
Griffiths continued: “I really enjoyed the U18s campaign, there was a great bunch of boys around me which helped me lead and we had a great victory over England in the final game.
 
“I was lucky enough to get called up to the U20s, which I never expected and so far it’s been great.
 
“I recently moved into the B group at the Ospreys academy. During my time in the C group the coaches were really good and the older academy boys were very helpful.
 
“There’s some great second rows at the Ospreys from Alun Wyn Jones to young guys like Adam Beard, Rory Thornton and Lloyd Ashley who are all great examples for me to work up to.
 
“It also gives me confidence that if I keep working hard and doing what the coaches want then hopefully I can progress through the Ospreys system.”
 
Griffiths grew up in Waunarlwydd idolising World Cup-winning Springbok Schalk Burger, who not only made his senior debut against Georgia but won the Under-21 equivalent of the tournament in 2002.
 
The long blond locks are long gone but Griffiths will be to the fore as Wales look to keep their own World Rugby U20 Championship alive against England on Sunday.
 
Following the opening defeat to Australia, Strange’s side must prevail if they are to reach the semi-finals.
 
Griffiths, of course has already tasted victory over England this season and he is adamant that if he and his teammates take on the lessons of their opening defeat to Australia then they have every chance of winning at the Avchala Stadium on Sunday.
 
He added: “England had a hugely impressive win against Samoa and you have to respect them because they’re a quality team.
 
“They will be a little bit similar to Australia with a heavy forward pack, very quick outside-backs and will look to go wide. They have a good set-piece and like to build a driving lineout platform so we will have to be switched on.
 
“The effort and attitude from the boys against Australia was excellent. It was just the finer details around our game like lineout defence, contact work, ball retention and taking more opportunities. We just needed a little more accuracy and patience.
 
“There were lots of positives so if we bring that edge against England along with the little fixes we need, then we should be near enough getting a result.
 
“It’s been a pretty good year already and to finish it by doing as well as we possibly can at this World Cup and by getting into uni would be perfect.”