The Ospreys appear to be winning the fight for the services of Nicky Smith, one of Welsh rugby’s most wanted men.
The 25-year-old front rower has attracted big interest from the English Premiership, with Sale Sharks, Gloucester and Newcastle Falcons all linked with him. Grapevine whispers suggested Smith could earn around £350,000 a year if he headed over the Severn Bridge, but such a move would wreck his Test career under Welsh rugby’s 60-cap rule.
Cardiff Blues have also been hard on the trail of the 28-cap prop who is blessed with the breakdown ability of an openside flanker.
They were impressed with his display against them on Judgement Day and believe he would add significantly to their front-five strength.
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But the Ospreys have stepped up their efforts to retain the expert ball-pilferer and seem close to winning the day.
They will not be celebrating until a signature is actually on a contract, because they thought they had nailed down the loose-head barely a fortnight ago only for his situation to be enveloped by fresh uncertainty.
But the 6ft, 17st 11lb player’s current arrangement expires at the end of the month, so the matter has to be settled one way or the other imminently and right now the pendulum has swung back towards the Ospreys.
The Liberty Stadium region have two other No. 1s on their books in Rhodri Jones and Gareth Thomas, but they have invested much time and effort in Smith since he made his debut for them as an 18-year-old and do not want to lose him.
Nor does Wayne Pivac want to see him head over the Severn Bridge.
Hitching up with one of his English suitors would make Smith unavailable to Wales as he is short of the 60 caps he would need to pull on the red jersey as an exiled player. Pivac is keen for Smith to stay at home and so retain his Wales eligibility.
It appears he will have joy on that front, with the Swansea-born player concluding his future is in Wales.
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The decision he has had to make has been between the Ospreys and Cardiff Blues, and, while there has been nothing official, he seems on the point of declaring for his home city.
All is set to become clearer sooner rather than later.
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