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Griffiths set for derby day return

13/05/2021

Back row Ollie Griffiths is set to return when Dragons face Ospreys in the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup on Sunday (kick-off 1pm).

Griffiths has been out of action since injuring his arm in the clash in the victory over Glasgow Warriors at Principality Stadium in mid-March.

However, the dynamic back row has now returned to full training and boss Dean Ryan is ready – after holding him back a week – to give his comeback game in Round Three of the tournament.

“Ollie will be involved,” said the Director of Dragons Rugby.

“Everyone shares the desire to see Ollie consistently play. He knows that and the problem when you have an injury record is every time you have a bump everyone thinks it’s really serious.

“A couple of weeks ago he had a bump and we just took our time until he’s back and just doing what he does.

“He’s been great this week, he was probably fit a week ago and we didn’t pick him, so this week he is desperate to get out.”

Griffiths was simply superb when he made his return earlier this season against Ulster and Ryan has backed the forward to make an similar impression at Rodney Parade this weekend.

“What we saw when he made when his came back from a significant injury was the impact he can have on games,” said Ryan.

“His performance out in Ulster, given the time he had been away, was phenomenal and that’s the type of player he is.

“I want to get him in a situation where he is playing regularly, so we can help him get better. The frightening thing is how good can Ollie be.

“Aaron (Wainwright) and Ross (Moriarty) have been outstanding for the last few weeks and I keep saying that I’ve never in 18 months been able to pick from a full back row,” he added.

“We are getting close to that. We’ve got a few bumps and bruises which means we might not be there yet, but I haven’t actually had to select a back row yet.

“At the moment we can rotate the back row and we will do that.

“We’ve got great talent in that area and they are all driving each other on to higher and higher performances.

“It will be Ollie’s turn to see what levels of performance he can turn up with.”

Meanwhile, Ryan has revealed hooker Richard Hibbard could make his return while Elliot Dee is also nearing a playing comeback.

The front row has been boosted after the news that Rhys Lawrence has been banned for three games following his red card in the game with Cardiff Blues last weekend.

“Hibbard is back and we have Taylor (Davies) who did a great job for us last week when he really wasn’t very well,” revealed Ryan.

“Hibbz is back and Elliot isn’t far away either, so we are okay.

“Elliot has had a calf problem which has just been frustrating for him, but again there is no point taking risks in bringing people back.

“Hibbz is back this week and obviously desperate to play.”

I want to get him in a situation where he is playing regularly, so we can help him get better... The frightening thing is how good can Ollie be...
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