OLLIE Griffiths has followed in the footsteps of some iconic back row forwards by being named as your Argus Dragon of the Year after a stellar campaign that has earned him a place on Wales’ summer tour.
The 22-year-old from Newbridge made 22 appearances across the back row this season and was towards the top of the Guinness PRO12 charts for tackles and turnovers.
His exploits meant that he topped the Argus poll for player of the season after edging out fellow flanker Nic Cudd, with the pair winning 75 per cent of the vote between them.
Griffiths becomes the fourth back row forward to win the award since its 2007 inception after Colin Charvis (2006/7), Joe Bearman (2007/8 and 2008/9) and current captain Lewis Evans (2013/14).
The award has been won by wingers for the past two seasons, Hallam Amos and Ashton Hewitt, but the displays of Griffiths, with one especially outstanding performance against the Scarlets in front of a bumper Judgement Day crowd, earned the honour.
Griffiths has long been tipped for a bright future – he became the youngest captain in the rich history of Newport RFC as a teenager in 2014 – but 2016/17 has been a breakthrough campaign for the former Wales Under-20s international.
An openside by choice, he played blindside for much of the second half of the campaign to form a lively double act with Nic Cudd but slotted to number eight for the final two games against Edinburgh and Cardiff Blues at the request of the international management.
Interim Wales head coach Robin McBryde subsequently named the Dragons prospect in his 32-strong squad for the June Tests against Tonga and Samoa and is relishing the chance to see him with ball in hand.
“He is quite a dynamic threat off the base of the scrum and I see him as very similar to Ross Moriarty with his ball-carrying ability,” said McBryde. “He is just a very exciting prospect and I am looking forward to working with him.”
Previous Argus Dragons of the Year winners
2015/16 Ashton Hewitt
2014/15 Hallam Amos
2013/14 Lewis Evans
2012/13 Jonathan Evans
2011/12 Robert Sidoli
2010/11 Adam Hughes
2009/10 Ashley Smith
2008/09 Joe Bearman
2007/08 Joe Bearman
2006/07 Colin Charvis
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel