Back row ace Ollie Griffiths admits signing a new contract with Dragons was a ‘no brainer’ – and believes the future is bright at the region.
Dynamic and all-action Griffiths has come through the ranks at the region to become an instrumental figure in the team.
The 25-year-old – who has played 78 games since his debut in 2014 – has not put pen to paper on an extension and revealed it was an easy decision to make as he looks to the future.
“I’m very happy, I have been here since I was 19, so very happy to re-sign here for the foreseeable future,” he said.
“I first got involved with the Dragons when I was about 16 or 17, it’s my home region I live 10 minutes down the road from training and lived in Gwent all my life so very happy to be here and to re-sign for the club.
“I feel we have kicked on a lot over the last year or so, my friends are here, the coaching set-up is good and the training facilities are good.
“It really was a no brainer for me really to stay at the Dragons for another couple of years and hopefully further after that.”
Griffiths has also spoken about Dean Ryan’s importance in agreeing new terms adding: “He came in and said it as it was, he didn’t sell any false fantasies, he was realistic, which I liked.
“Since he’s been here we have kicked on a lot, we played Champions Cup rugby this year and hopefully we can qualify for that again next year. That is where I want to be and where the region wants to be really.
“I’m still only 25 so I’m ambitious and I’ve got international ambitions. At regional level I want to play Champions Cup rugby and I believe this is a place that I can do that.
“I can’t wait for the fans to come back too,” he added. “It’s not the same playing at Rodney Parade without the supporters there.
"It’s always a great feeling going out there on a Friday night in front of thousands of passionate Dragons fans and that’s another reason I signed really.
“I’ve played at Rodney Parade for a long time now, started with Newport then Dragons Under-18s so I just love playing there for the region. I can’t wait for fans to be back and be back out there playing again.”
Griffiths has also reported positive news on his recovery from injury as he targets a playing return in the coming weeks.
“Everything is going well and I’m ahead of schedule,” he added.
“I’m probably about three or four weeks off so hopefully I’ll be back the beginning of March, fingers crossed."
I’m still only 25 so I’m ambitious and I’ve got international ambitions... At regional level I want to play Champions Cup rugby and I believe this is a place that I can do that...
