Griffin Sets Sights on Maiden Principality Stadium Triumph

Sunday, 02 November 2025 at 14:17

byHarry Tovey

Griffin concluded.

Despite not playing for Bath regularly, Archie Griffin is aiming to claim his first Wales victory this Autumn at Principality Stadium, Cardiff.

Wales face Argentina next Sunday, followed by the remaining Tests against Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa (outside the Test window).

The 24-year-old will be looking to achieve what his club side did last season, and win in a stadium that the national side hasn’t done so in since an uncapped contest against the Barbarians in 2023.

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“I want to get my first win at home,” began Griffin.

“Bath won twice here (Principality Stadium) last season, and I wasn’t involved in either game. I’m hungry for a win here.”

The Sydney-born prop isn’t a regular starter for The Recreation Ground side, as South Africa’s Thomas du Toit and England and British and Irish Lions' Will Stuart stand above him.

Griffin has only played in two of the Blue, Black and Whites’ Gallagher Prem games against Harlequins and Sale Sharks, with an average of 25 minutes per game.

“I think Johann (van Graan) always talks about best attack versus best defence in our environment. It’s competitive for a reason,” said Griffin on the positives of playing for the English club.

“Because we’ve got that depth. That’s how we stay ahead of everyone. Like we meant to train like we’re second best.

“I certainly get that when I’ve got those two ahead of me and then opposite me, I’ve got the likes of Bener and Franny, and then Thomas when he goes across, like, I’m always getting tested.

“And those two honestly are very helpful. I remember coming off the back of the Oz tour last year.

“I had off-season and then Thomas was in the Rugby Championship, so I didn’t see him for eight, nine weeks.

“First thing he comes up to me, doesn’t even say hello, he’s like, 'I watched your stuff from Oz. This is what I think you can do better.”

Tighthead hasn’t really been an area of strength for Welsh rugby in recent years since the retirement of Adam Jones and the departure from the international scene of Tomas Francis. Griffin will now compete alongside Dragons’ Chris Coleman and Cardiff's Keiron Assiartti.

The 24-year-old is in pole position for the three jersey, having played against Japan in their victory in Kobe, which ended a drought of 18 consecutive Test match defeats.

“Well, we talk about week by week training-wise about slingshotting into the weekend and match days. And I just think that coming off the back of a win, that's going to slingshot us into this campaign.

“So, I think it's good for a lot of boys, because it was my first win in the shirt.

“I think that's the thing where a lot of boys got the first win, and now it's like, not a taste for it because we all have won games before, but almost that is like winning mentality,”