Griffin hopes he can be Wales' magic number three

Bath prop Archie Griffin is hoping to nail down the problematic Wales number three jersey this autumn.

Wales have not had a recognised experienced tight-head prop since Adam Jones and Tomas Francis locked the scrum.

Griffin is the man in possession having started against Japan in the victory in Kobe in July which ended an 18-match international losing sequence.

The 24-year-old will compete with Keiron Assiratti and Chris Coleman for the Wales tight-head berth this autumn.

"I'm eager to do whatever I can for the shirt (Wales), and just try and hold onto it for as long as I can and keep playing," said Griffin.

"I've had some good performances, but others that have shown I have one or two areas to work on.

"Scrummaging for me has been a big work on, consistency-wise."

Regular club rugby is Griffins' major issue at Bath as he currently stands behind Springboks star Thomas du Toit and England and British and Irish Lions prop Will Stuart in the pecking order.

Griffin has not started a league game during this campaign having been involved as a replacement for the opening two matches with his previous action on 3 October.

The Sydney-born prop does believe there are merits to his involvement at Bath as he works under head coach Johann van Graan, who masterminded league success in the 2024-25 season.

"I think Johann always talks about best attack versus best defence in our environment. It's competitive for a reason," he said.

"Because we've got that depth, that's how we stay ahead of everyone.

"I certainly get that when I've got those two ahead of me (du Toit and Stuart) and then the props opposite me.

"I've got the likes of Bener (Beno Obano) and Franny (Francois van Wyk) and then Thomas when he goes across, I'm always getting tested."

Wales face Argentina next Sunday before further Tests against Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.

They have a new head coach in Steve Tandy at the helm as he aims to lift Wales up from their current world ranking of 12th.

Griffin is hoping a new era can emerge and Wales can once more connect with its fans.

"We are looking for three words to describe us - tough, brave and smart," said Griffin.

"Success would be that connection with the fans, and then when you ask them what do you think about the Wales team, those three words come out of their mouths.

"Everything goes back to those three words and how we want to define ourselves.

"Success will be if those three words are how everyone else defines us."

Wales have lost their previous nine home internationals in Cardiff with Griffin hoping this record ends this month.

"I want to get my first win at home," said Griffin.

"Bath won twice here [Principality Stadium] last season and I wasn't involved in either game. I'm hungry for a win here."