The Bridgend-born scrum half has a wealth of experience having played for Wales at Under 19 and 21 levels before launching his 15-a-side career with Bridgend Ravens. He then had spells at the Ospreys, Cornish Pirates, Doncaster, Jersey and Newport Gwent Dragons.
Griffiths joins from Cardiff Blues and is one of a number of newcomers to the Bridge Field for the new campaign. Other backline recruits include Neath’s Aaron Bramwell, Dragons Academy member Pat Lewis and Aberdare youngster Garin Payne.
Head coach Steve Law has bolstered his options up front by recruiting Jack Williams and Stuart Vokes join from Newbridge, Robson Blake joins from Bedlinog and Dan Crimmins from Glamorgan Wanderers. In addition, Tom Bell and Rhys Verley have both signed for the club after leaving the Dragons Academy, while ex-Neath star Lee Evans has decided to return to the game after a break.
Law will have a new Team Manager helping him to run the playing affairs of a club that reached the final of the Foster’s Challenge Cup and finished seventh in the Premiership. While the league position was the lowest for four seasons, but they managed to beat every team in the league bar Ebbw Vale, Cross Keys and Llandovery and beat the first team in the Challenge Cup.
Joining Law in the back room staff for the new season will be Arain Withers, who takes over from Andy Harrison as Team Manager. A former head coach at Nelson RFC for eight seasons, Withers is no newcomer to building teams having helped his former club gain three successive promotions to lead them into Division 1 East.
Also joining the coaching staff will be former back row stalwart Deri Mattravers, who finally decided to hang up his boots at the ripe old age of 41 last season after 12 years of sterling service at the club. Two other retirees last season were Rory Budina and Richard Wilkes, while James Sawyer has headed to Hong Kong.
Richard Powell has taken over the captaincy from Dan Preece and the club’s first taste of action will be on Saturday, 13 August when they travel to nearby Penallta for the first of three pre-season friendlies. They then host Bedlinog the following weekend, entertain Glamorgan Wanders on Saturday, 27 August and then feature in the Foster’s National Sevens at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday, 28 August.
They kick-off their Premiership campaign with a home clash against Pontypridd at the Bridge Field on 3 September.
