Jones’ injury, as unfortunate as it is for the 56-capped Wales international, has given his deputy the chance to change all that though – at least in the short term. And, having won the race to fill the Ospreys’ tighthead berth for the season opener against Connacht, Griffiths is determined to make the most of it. The Bangor-born prop is well aware he has some big shoes to fill. But, with Jones helping him behind the scenes, he knows it’s time to prove he too can lead from the front for his region.

“I’ve been at the Ospreys from the start and I’ve always been behind Adam,” he said. “This is a big opportunity for me to show my potential and really show that I am worthy of that No 3 jersey. Obviously Adam had an awesome summer with the Lions so there is plenty of pressure stepping into his shoes. “He is a top player and one of the best props around. But I am just focusing on my game.

“I have taken it on board that I need to step up my game and I feel I have done that at the start of this season. “Every time you come into pre-season you have the attitude that you need to step things out. But, with Adam being injured, that has really been the case for me this year.” As for Jones’ influence, he continued: “Adam is a great guy and he has always been around to help me. He is a top player and, while we are fighting for the same jersey, I can easily approach him and get his advice.

“I can get the video clips of the scrum and take them to him. He will look at them with me and give me pointers. He has always been very approachable. We are both looking for positives for the Ospreys and he is willing to help.” Having held his own in the 19-12 victory over Connacht last Friday, Griffiths will get the chance to continue his stint in the front row against Ulster today. He will take his place alongside Richard Hibbard and Paul James as the region look to start the new Magners League campaign with back-to-back victories.

Having fought off competition from Craig Mitchell, who played twice for Wales in the summer tour of North America, Griffiths is looking to build on his own positive start as well. After a summer of hard work, he doesn’t want to let his big chance slip away. “With Adam out I need to make as big an impression as possible,” he explained. “It’s been a great start for me and to be selected for the first game was a big boost for me.

“I just need to keep building on it and this is another big game for us. The Connacht game went well for me and the scrums went really well, I thought. “My scrumaging game has always been under pressure. But I’ve worked hard at it and believe I’ve turned that side of things around. I’m enjoying myself at the moment. I just want to keep playing and pulling that Ospreys shirt on.”