Bath boss Johann van Graan takes the positives from Griffin's ordeal

Bath boss Johann van Graan has backed Wales international Archie Griffin to “come back stronger” after the tight-head endured a nightmare first half against Saracens last Saturday.

Griffin was given a torrid time by Wales teammate Rhys Carre in the first half of Bath’s Champions Cup Round of 16 win at The Rec, conceding three of the four scrum penalties awarded against the home side.

Van Graan replaced the 24-year-old, who has 15 caps to his name, at half-time, with Bath trailing 10-0. They went on to win 31-22 to set up a home quarter-final against Northampton this Friday.

Thomas du Toit, the world’s best tight-head, came on in his place and the Springbok’s match-winning contribution earned him the Player of the Match award despite only playing 40 minutes.

With Will Stuart unavailable until next season due to his ongoing rehab from Achilles surgery and du Toit heading back to South Africa after four glorious seasons at Bath, van Graan is relying on Griffin and Billy Sela to keep developing.

“He conceded a few penalties in the first half, but we as a group, we win together, we lose together, we gain penalties together, it is not about one person, it is about the whole pack,” said van Graan, keen to protect his player.

“As the coach, I felt I needed to change that at half-time and, as ever, this is a growth opportunity.

“Archie has a huge ceiling, he’ll be back, he’ll learn from it, he’ll be better for it.

“There’s no front-rower in world rugby that hasn’t gone backwards, it is how you come back again.

“I am not qualified too much to speak about the front row because I chose not to play there, that’s a game within a game.

“But Archie is a player with huge potential, he’s just had a very good Six Nations and will certainly come back stronger.”