Nicky Smith (rugby union)

Nicky Smith (born 7 April 1994) is a Welsh professional rugby union player, he plays prop for Leicester Tigers in Eng;and's Premiership Rugby and has played 46 internationals for Wales between 2014 and 2023. He previously spent 12 seasons playing for his home town team, the Ospreys in the multi-national URC. He has also represented Aberavon RFC and Swansea RFC in the Welsh Premiership.

Nicky Smith
Birth nameNicky Smith
Date of birth (1994-04-07) 7 April 1994 (age 30)
Place of birthSwansea, Wales
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight17 st 11 lb; 249 lb (113 kg)
SchoolGower College Swansea
Pentrehafod Comprehensive School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Loosehead Prop
Current team Leicester Tigers
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Waunarlwydd ()
2012–2014 Swansea 31 (0)
2013–2014 Aberavon 2 (0)
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012–2024 Ospreys 191 (65)
2024– Leicester Tigers ()
Correct as of 22 June 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013–2014 Wales U20 15 (0)
2014–2023 Wales 46 (15)
Correct as of 25 October 2023

International

edit

Smith is a Wales Under 20 international, having appeared for the team on 15 occasions. His first run-out for the U20's team was against Ireland U20's, during the 2013 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[1] He went on to play every match of the 2013 Championship, before being selected for the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship in France. Smith only played once during the U20's World Championship; Wales finished second overall behind England U20. Smith played in every match of the 2014 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, and every game of the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship in New Zealand - Wales finishing seventh.

In October 2014 he was named the Wales senior squad for the 2014 Autumn International series against Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and South Africa.[2] Smith made his senior international debut for Wales on 15 November 2014 versus Fiji.

Smith is chosen to start in Wales' Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome on Sunday, 5 February 2017.[3]

International tries

edit
Try Opponent Location Venue Competition Date Result
1   Uruguay Kumamoto, Japan Egao Kenko Stadium 2019 Rugby World Cup 13 October 2019 Win
2   France Paris, France Stade de France 2020 Autumn Internationals 24 October 2020 Loss
3   Canada Cardiff, Wales Millennium Stadium 2021 Summer Internationals 3 July 2021 Win

Leicester

edit

On 20 March 2024, Smith's signing was announced by Leicester Tigers.[4]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Wales Under-20s v Ireland Under-20s". ESPN scrum.
  2. ^ "Williams omitted from Wales squad". 13 February 2018 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
  3. ^ "Six Nations 2017: Rhys Webb returns as Wales make five changes for Italy game". BBC Sport. 2 February 2017 – via bbc.co.uk.
  4. ^ "Nicky Smith: Leicester Tigers sign Wales loose-head prop from Ospreys for 2024-25". BBC Sport. 20 March 2024. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |ul= ignored (help)
edit