Wales mainstay Nicky Smith is in high demand with top English clubs Bristol Bears and Saracens interested in his services.

Smith has been a revelation for the Ospreys over the past two seasons and it’s no exaggeration to say he’s one of the best forwards in the Northern Hemisphere right now.

Players such as former All Blacks leader Carl Tu’inukuafe, French international Mohamed Hawass, England and Lions veteran Dan Cole and Michael Ala’alatoa have all tried to get the best of the Ospreys man in scrums this season, but all have been expelled. . packaging.

Given his consistent performances, Smith’s lack of opportunities for Wales in recent seasons is more of a mystery than what happened at the Mary Celeste. Yes, he has 42 caps for his country, but he has never had the opportunity to consistently play in the red number one jersey.

As already mentioned, his grappling skill is not in question, but there is much more in his arsenal.

In the Ospreys’ gritty Champions Cup defeat to the Saracens, he was a half-time threat and his explosive dribbling was also evident, a really eye-catching 40m.

The 29-year-old is cut from a similar pattern to France’s world-class former defender Thomas Domingo, whose short stature allowed him to tackle bigger and smaller men on tackles, allowing him to wreak havoc.

Given Wales’ struggles at the start of the Six Nations, his absence from Warren Gatland’s squad was a bit disconcerting, and he should at least be included in the pre-World Cup extended squad for training camps in Switzerland and Turkey.

But his qualities have not gone unnoticed at River Severn, with a number of English clubs interested in his signing in recent months, including Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs, with Bristol and Saracens now joining the tail.

Given the pay cuts that will be taking place in Wales next season and the fact that regional gaming budgets are about to be cut, the Ospreys are really against it in terms of extending Smith’s contract.

He has 42 caps to his name, meaning he will remain in the Welsh squad should he decide to move to Gallagher’s Premier League.

Nobody could blame him if he decided to leave Wales at the end of the season and any club lucky enough to sign the Swansea man would add a huge asset to their squad.

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