LEGENDARY Wales flanker Martyn Williams believes Ollie Griffiths may have to leave the Dragons if he is to get his chance in the national side.

Griffiths is making a name for himself at Rodney Parade, and is a former skipper of the under-20 national team.

The 22-year-old captained a second-string Dragons side as they went down to a heavy defeat in Ulster on Friday night and was forced off at the end with a blow to his right leg.

And his performances have caught the eye of Williams, who himself remains his country’s most-capped back row forward with a century of appearances for the national side.

But Williams warned Griffiths may have to ply his trade away from Newport if he is to truly push himself on to greatness in a senior Wales jersey.

“We have so many good sevens in Wales. You mention Ollie Griffiths, but the likes of Ellis Jenkins and Thomas Young are pushing hard.

“We have got so many of them, but Griffiths is a huge talent. I remember watching him for Wales under-20s against England a few years back and he was phenomenal.

“I had never seen anything like it. I don’t mean this in a cruel way, but he is not playing in the best side and that will not help him.

“But if you put him a Saracens or Scarlets side, we would all see how special he is. There is no doubt he will get his day in a Welsh jersey.”

Newbridge flanker Griffiths made his international debut when he featured in June’s 24-6 win against Tonga in Auckland.

But he revealed last week that he was frustrated to get only two minutes on the pitch as a replacement.

“It was a great experience and it was nice to be involved but going out there I expected a bit more than two or three minutes,” he said.

“But I am grateful for that opportunity and it’s definitely helped me as a player – I learnt a lot from players and coaches out there.

“It’s made me even more hungry to get more caps. I’ve got that title to my name of being an international but in the back of my head I want to play more and establish myself at that level.

“I know that I need to play well for the Dragons week in, week out and then hopefully I will get another opportunity.”

South Wales Argus:

Grand Slam winner Williams (above) is also buoyed by the talent at Wales’ disposal, and is itching for Warren Gatland’s side to put in memorable displays against the southern hemisphere teams at the upcoming autumn internationals.

Wales host Australia on November 11 at Principality Stadium, before clashes against Georgia, New Zealand and South Africa in the weeks following.

And the Australian scalp in particular is one Williams is hoping Wales will claim.

“I just want to see us beat Australia, because it has been a long time since we have beaten them and we have the players to do it,” he said.

“We all want to beat New Zealand, but we have waited a long time for that, but if we want to be taken seriously then we have to start winning three out of four games in the autumn.

“You do have two-year cycles. Now the Lions is out of the way, it is full steam ahead to the World Cup.

“People say it starts four years ago, but I don’t believe that. I think this autumn is the first stepping stone to Japan.

“It will be interesting to see selection and see which players’ break through in the autumn.”

The Rugby Centurions have inspired others through their passion, integrity and discipline on the field, and now their legacy will live on through this extraordinary association. For more information on Rugby Centurions and the Gala Dinner on November 23 at Hilton Metropole visit: www.rugbycenturions.com.