Doncaster Knights v Cornish Pirates: Griffiths eager to reinforce his Knights

They entertain Cornish Pirates in the Championship this afternoon having been blighted by a raft of injuries that has especially affected their fly-half options.

Michael Heaney, the scrum-half filling in at No 10, was the latest to be crocked in last Friday’s narrow 27-20 defeat at Yorkshire Carnegie.

Griffiths said: “He’s going to be out with ankle ligament damage and that’s our third fly-half now to get injured.

“We had some other players out and will have a few missing today although Richard List has come through okay this week after straining a hamstring.

“It’s hard to get players in (signed), though, with the World Cup going on, but that’s ended for some of the countries now so we might be able to have a look.

“And the Premiership starts this weekend as well so some players from there might trickle down, too, but it is hard.”

He has been impressed with his current squad’s attitude, however, after securing three wins from six so far.

“We just fell short at Carnegie but injuries in crucial positions didn’t help us and we showed great never-say-die character to score a couple of tries and get a bonus point,” added Griffiths.

“We want to build on that against Cornish and get the win and we’re looking forward to the match.”

Alex Shaw makes his first start of the campaign at No 6, hooker Ben Hunter reclaims his position up-front and Tyler Hotson steps up in place of Matt Challinor at Lock, partnering his compatriot Jon Phelan in the engine room.