'It was always going to be Ospreys and Wales for me - I'm just happy we've got the right deal'
Nicky Smith has signed a new long-term deal with Ospreys. The 25-year old loosehead has put pen to paper on a four-year deal despite intense competition for his services, from both inside Wales and across the Severn Bridge. He will remain at the Liberty Stadium until at least 2023.
Smith’s retention is a significant coup for the Welsh club, providing a welcome boost in the build-up to this weekend’s Champions Cup play-off against the Scarlets. “I know it’s dragged out probably longer than I was hoping, but I’m just happy that I’ve committed my future to my home region” said Smith.
“It was always going to be Ospreys and Wales for me. I’m just happy that we’ve got the right deal and I’m looking forward to the next four years. It’s been a good season personally, but there’s always room for improvement and I know there’s a lot I can work on. Over these four years I can hopefully become a better player.
“We have got a big game at the weekend and I’m excited to hopefully be involved in it. It’s been a tough training week, the boys are firing shots at each other, but it’s all to get ourselves ready for a big game this Saturday to try and put the Ospreys where they should be, which is the top flight in Europe.”
A homegrown talent who came through the development pathway at the Ospreys, Smith progressed from Waunarlwydd to the Ospreys via the age-grade structure and Swansea RFC (31 appearances).
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"It was always going to be Ospreys and Wales for me"
Everything you need to know as @NickySmith signs up for another four years with his home Region#OurBloodIsBlackhttps://t.co/K8fMGjde0e
— Ospreys (@ospreys) May 15, 2019
Having made his debut as an 18-year old against the Dragons in an LV= Cup tie in January 2013, Smith has now appeared 106 times for the Ospreys, scoring five tries, his 100th game coming earlier this season against Pau in the Challenge Cup.
Now established as one of Europe’s leading looseheads, he has played 28 times for Wales and featured four times during this year’s Grand Slam campaign. “I’m delighted that Nicky has committed to his home club for another four years,” said Ospreys boss Allen Clarke.
“He’s a Swansea boy. He’s been here all his career, developing through the academy pathway to the Ospreys senior team, and now as an established international. Despite being comparatively young he has become a core player and a tremendous character within the squad.
“He has shown high level consistency at the top end of the game, not just in the set-piece but also in open-play, where his contribution is very much that of a modern day loose head prop. I’m looking forward, as I’m sure our supporters are, to seeing him continue to develop and perform for club and country.
“It’s important for us that we retain our home-grown quality players. It not only reflects our determination in building a squad to win and compete for honours in the Guinness PRO14 and Europe; it also provides a clear pathway and example of what is possible to every young person who dreams of playing for the Ospreys and Wales.
“Re-signing Nicky until 2023 is another significant step forward by Ospreys on the journey to realising our ambition as a region.”
WATCH: Warren Gatland on the Wales training squad he has announced for the 2019 World Cup
Comments on RugbyPass
Ouch. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
25 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to comments