Swansea defence coach Clive Griffiths will watch his Swansea side against Bridgend on Wednesday evening knowing his links with rugby league are cut for now.

Griffiths has stepped aside as Wales rugby league coach because he did not want the post to become a joint position.

The Rugby Football League wanted Widnes coach Neil Kelly to assume co-leadership with Griffiths.

Griffiths was disappointed with the plan: "I felt the present structure didn't need change and I am not a great fan of joint coaches," he said.

His future now looks to be in rugby union.

He is contracted to Swansea and has confirmed his interest in one of the three coaching positions recently advertised with the Wales squad.

"I have spoken to officials in the WRU and they have made it quite clear what they are looking for," Griffiths confirmed.

Such has been Swansea's rugged defence in claiming the Welsh-Scottish title this season, many observers feel Griffiths is the favourite to win the position of Wales defence coach.

Team news

Swansea give a debut to centre Matthew Brayley and play Wales 'A' fly-half Gavin Henson at inside centre.

Cerith Rees comes in at number 10 against the side chasing his services for next season.

Bridgend name their side later on Wednesday and have the incentive of gaining a better Heineken Cup seeding.

The Ravens currently lie fifth in the table, but a win with three tries would take them ahead of Newport; a win with seven tries ahead of Llanelli.

They have injury worries over seven or eight players, with fly-half Craig Warlow definitley out.

He needs a shoulder operation and may be missing until November.

"We have been hanging on with a couple of the boys' injuries," said coach Dennis John.

"And those boys have now got to stop playing or otherwise they will do themselves serious long term damage."

Teams -

Swansea: S Payne; R Rees, M Brayley, G Henson, M Robinson; C Rees, R Jones; B Evans, G Mason, C Anthony; J Griffiths, L Jones; G Lewis, P Moriarty (capt), D Thomas.
Replacements: S Mitchell, C Richards, A Moore, S Martens, G Swales, P Mackey, J Bater.

Bridgend: tba