 Griffiths is ahead of Wales' Craig Mitchell in the Ospreys pecking order |
Coach Scott Johnson says Cai Griffiths could join fellow Ospreys tight-head Craig Mitchell in the Wales squad soon. Griffiths has been first choice for the region this year, but Mitchell has been chosen by Wales as the only dedicated tight-head in their autumn Test squad. "It's a tight call for us every week and a difficult one for Wales, they may come knocking on the door for Griffiths later," said Ospreys boss Johnson. Ospreys loose-head prop Paul James also offers Wales tight-head cover. Blues prop Gethin Jenkins - described by Wales coach Warren Gatland as perhaps the best loose-head in the world - is also being considered for a move across the front row.  | 606: DEBATE |
The tight-head problem has arisen for the region and country because Adam Jones is out until December with the shoulder injury he sustained while playing for the British and Irish Lions against South Africa in the summer. The Ospreys decided against recruiting a replacement, a decision that seemed to cost them when their scrum struggled against Leicester and Clermont Auvergne in the Heineken Cup. "When we lost Adam we could have gone to the market, but morally we didn't think that was right," said former Wales coach Johnson. "We felt we had the next two tight-heads in Wales who happened to be Welsh kids [Griffiths and Mitchell].  Craig Mitchell won his first cap on Wales' summer tour |
"We felt for the long-term interests of the country and region we should attack it with the two local lads." Griffiths started against both Leicester and Clermont, but the scrum seemed to improve when Mitchell came off the bench. The Wales management went with Mitchell, who won his first cap on this summer's tour of North America. Johnson says he can understand if Gatland is unhappy that Mitchell has not had more game time at the Ospreys. "Craig has had two starts, he's had his opportunities," said Johnson. "I can understand why [Gatland's] disappointed because he's decided to pick him. "It's a difficult one [choosing Griffiths or Mitchell], it's splitting hairs, no one of them has really gone ahead in leaps and bounds. "At the end of the day we might be the big winners. Craig will get his opportunity and Cai can keep going with us, that's a good thing for Wales. "Both are different sorts of players and both have had game time. "We're trying to balance needs of the region right now with the needs of the future. "We've got a lot of respect for both kids. The way certain sides play in the scrum may suit different players.  Paul James is one of four Ospreys props in the Wales squad |
"If Wales have gone that way I can understand it. We tried to go another way for a little bit and are just trying to make some adjustments to Craig's scrummaging. "That's still embryonic in that regard, just little subtle changes. Hopefully development there will be good for him and improve him. "It's a very, very close thing, I could see the merits in both. "We have a good regard for them and have just come up against some great scrums. "It's been a worthwhile experience for both of them, I think European scrummaging is probably stronger than Test rugby." Johnson also said he hopes that there is a chance of having some of his 10 Wales squad players back for Friday's Magners League visit of Glasgow Warriors. The Ospreys are particularly threadbare in the front row, with Jones injured and Mitchell, James, Duncan Jones and Huw Bennett in Gatland's squad. "Wales make the decisions, we haven't worried about it at the moment," he said. "We would like to get one or two back, we're down to the bare bones."
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