After a brief two-year stint with Leicester Tigers, Wales international Nicky Smith is set to depart the club at season's end, lured away by the promise of a more secure, long-term deal elsewhere. The loosehead prop, who joined from Ospreys in 2024, has been a key player and a well-respected figure within the squad. Despite an offer to extend his stay at Leicester, the 31-year-old has opted for a contract that offers better long-term prospects.
During his time in green, Smith has racked up 32 appearances and crossed the try line twice. His influence on and off the field was acknowledged by Leicester Tigers head coach Geoff Parling, who expressed both admiration and regret over Smith's impending exit. Parling stated,
"Nicky is firstly a great player, and secondly a great character to have in the changing room. With this in mind, we would have loved to have kept him for the next couple of years, but he has decided to take up a longer-term offer elsewhere."
Parling also added that the team is focused on Smith's contributions for the remainder of the season while also engaging in advanced negotiations with potential recruits.
Rumors suggest that Smith's next port of call could be Sale Sharks, which RugbyPass hinted as a likely destination. This move would see him joining a squad also reportedly eyeing talents like Elliot Daly and Alex Lozowski from Saracens.
Smith's rugby journey began in Swansea, playing amateur rugby before making his professional debut with Ospreys in 2012, where he tallied up 200 appearances. His international career for Wales started in 2014 against Fiji, and he has since earned 59 caps, including his recent play in the Autumn Nations Series victory over Japan last November.
As Smith prepares to write the next chapter of his career, Leicester Tigers are gearing up to announce a slew of retained players and new signings, ensuring that the team remains competitive and vibrant in the face of key departures.
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After a brief two-year stint with Leicester Tigers, Wales international Nicky Smith is set to depart the club at season's end, lured away by the promise of a more secure, long-term deal elsewhere. The loosehead prop, who joined from Ospreys in 2024, has been a key player and a well-respected figure within the squad. Despite an offer to extend his stay at Leicester, the 31-year-old has opted for a contract that offers better long-term prospects.
During his time in green, Smith has racked up 32 appearances and crossed the try line twice. His influence on and off the field was acknowledged by Leicester Tigers head coach Geoff Parling, who expressed both admiration and regret over Smith's impending exit. Parling stated,
"Nicky is firstly a great player, and secondly a great character to have in the changing room. With this in mind, we would have loved to have kept him for the next couple of years, but he has decided to take up a longer-term offer elsewhere."
Parling also added that the team is focused on Smith's contributions for the remainder of the season while also engaging in advanced negotiations with potential recruits.Rumors suggest that Smith's next port of call could be Sale Sharks, which RugbyPass hinted as a likely destination. This move would see him joining a squad also reportedly eyeing talents like Elliot Daly and Alex Lozowski from Saracens.
Smith's rugby journey began in Swansea, playing amateur rugby before making his professional debut with Ospreys in 2012, where he tallied up 200 appearances. His international career for Wales started in 2014 against Fiji, and he has since earned 59 caps, including his recent play in the Autumn Nations Series victory over Japan last November.
As Smith prepares to write the next chapter of his career, Leicester Tigers are gearing up to announce a slew of retained players and new signings, ensuring that the team remains competitive and vibrant in the face of key departures.