When Warren Gatland named his Wales team to face Australia two positions were of utmost interest.

Firstly, the perennial debate: who should follow in the footsteps of Phil Bennett, Barry John, Jonathan Davies and co. in the number 10 jersey.

That was answered in the shape of Cardiff academy graduate Ben Thomas.

The second, with Keiron Assiratti and Henry Thomas injured, while Tomas Francis is taking a hiatus from international rugby, who will fill in at tighthead.

Gatland has selected Bath tighthead Archie Griffin who made his debut in the Six Nations as a second half substitute against England.

It’s fair to say it wasn’t the dream debut for Griffin, getting taught a bit of a lesson by experienced England pair Ellis Genge and Dan Cole before being forced off late on with a knee injury.

The injury ruled out Griffin for the remainder of the tournament and has made only three appearances since for Bath in the Gallagher Premiership.

However, Griffin’s former coach at Wales U18s, Chris Horsman, who earnt 14 Welsh caps at tighthead, believes the Bath man has both the physical and mental strength to succeed at international level.

Speaking on the Sportin Wales podcast at the end of May, Horsman said that he’d like to see Archie Griffin be given an opportunity with his “shape and size”.

“He’s a real character, we used to call him Boris Johnson because he’d been to Marlborough College,” joked Horsman.

“He’s someone with that physicality and ball carrying, on the gainline who can offer something in both attack and defence.”

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‘Mental fortitude’ meets physical size

Griffin will be playing in the city of his birth on Saturday and after his selection Horsman added what excited him about the 6”3, 20st tighthead prop.

“When I coached Archie with Wales U18s, I noticed there’s a confidence about him,” said Horsman.

“Not an arrogance, but a no-fear attitude, for me that’s his X-factor.

“You add that to his physical size. Nowadays all the best tightheads are 6”1 or 6”2 and at least 18 stone whilst also being mobile and he fits that bill.

“Also, he’s got a massive head which is good for a tighthead and offers good collisions on both sides of the ball.”

It was suggested from inside the camp that Wales will revert back to the staples under Gatland’s leadership of defence, fitness and kicking and Horsman believes Griffin will be a key asset to that.

“I remember a game for Wales U18s where he was on the bench against England,” Horsman recalls.

“Alfie Barbeary was tearing us apart and Griffin came on and he was looking for him for a couple of minutes and then he came out of the defensive line in a huge collision.

“It perhaps wasn’t part of the defensive structure, but it was that mentality that I liked.”

Horsman also believes Griffin has the mental fortitude to forget about the disappointments from his debut when he comes up against the Wallabies.

“He’s got the mentality to improve and that’s what you need in order to thrive,” said Horsman.

“His debut would have been the best, worst day of his life with the chance to put on that red jersey for the first time and then the injury.

“One thing that has to be crucial with these young lads is that they’re going to make mistakes. Archie’s only 22 which is young for a tighthead and the important thing after making mistakes is that you don’t go into your shell, otherwise what’s the point.

“He’s certainly mentally tough enough to succeed at this level.”

Test of Experience and the Tongan Thor

On Saturday Griffin will come against James Slipper who will win his 135^th international cap at loosehead with 6”0, 23st Taniela Tupou at tighthead.

“Saturday will be a huge test for the whole team,” said Horsman.

“Historically, Australia have not been though of as a strong scrummaging nation, but anyone who has 135 caps has plenty of experience and it will be a good test for Archie.

“It’s a good front row but I wouldn’t say it’s a destructive one.

“For me, Archie just needs to do what he does naturally and impose himself physically on the opposition.”

Historically when Wales have been successful against the Wallabies it is when they have gained dominance up front, particularly in their 40-6 win against Australia at last year’s World Cup.

However, that day they were without Tupou and Gatland acknowledges his return will mean the Aussies will fancy their chances up front.

“It’s how you learn your trade – it’s a hard one,” said Gatland.

“I don’t expect any front rowers or tight forwards to be any good until they’re 27, 28 or 29. I know James Slipper is a little older than that and his record speaks for itself.

“With Tupou on the tighthead, they’ve probably thought that’s one area they can get an advantage and dominate.”

Archie to stay square in a round hole

Griffin’s primary role will be to anchor the Welsh scrum and prevent Australia from gaining momentum and penalty advantage at set-piece when they can be so dangerous.

Gatland acknowledges that tighthead is a position where Wales lack strength in depth.

“It’s one position we’re probably the most exposed at,” said Gatland.

“We just haven’t had a consistent tighthead who is playing week-in, week-out. The last one was probably Tomas Francis, but we need to get someone on the field and develop some experience.

“Archie is explosive and technically excellent. Unfortunately, in the Six Nations he picked up an injury right at the start. It’s good to see him back and we would just like to see him play some more rugby.

“We can’t operate a game with our scrum being under that sort of pressure, it’s definitely been a focus in terms of tightening it up this week.

“I don’t think Archie will be fazed, but it’ll be a learning curve for him. As an ex-front-rower myself, things don’t always go as you expect.”