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Nicky Smith will join Sale Sharks for the start of next season
Wales prop Nicky Smith has signed for English club Sale Sharks. The 31-year-old has decided to leave Leicester Tigers to take up a three-year contract offer with Sale.
Smith has been a first-choice player at Leicester over the past two seasons after joining from the Ospreys.
The 59-times-capped Wales international is one of the most destructive scrummaging looseheads in the Gallagher Prem who had previously been linked with a move to rebel league R360 and a handful of French clubs.
But he has decided his future lies in Salford and Smith will join a strong Sale Sharks squad.
Last season he was named in the Gallagher Prem team of the year, selected by a panel of broadcasters, journalists and RPA representatives.
“I spoke to Alex Sanderson and I loved how ambitious he was about what the club wants to achieve,” said Smith.
“It’s really exciting to be joining a team that is so clear about wanting to win things and compete for every trophy.
“As an opposition player, Sale is always a really tough place to go and as a forward, you know that you need to front up.
“I’m looking forward to being part of that team from next season.
“Sale have so many quality international players, especially in the front row, so I can’t wait to play and train with those lads because I know that will help my game.
“I feel like I’m playing my best rugby at the moment but I know I can still improve.
“Hopefully I’ll have my best years in a Sale shirt.”
Sale are currently seventh in the Gallagher Prem table and have aspirations of challenging for the title.
“Nicky has been one of the most aggressive, consistent, high-quality scrummagers in the Prem over the past couple of years,” said Sale director of rugby Sanderson.
“He’s caused us a lot of trouble when we’ve played Leicester in that period and we’ve always felt that we’d love to have him here. He’s quality in the set-piece but he’s agile and mobile and good around the park too.
“He comes with a lot of experience in the Prem and at international level. Our ambitions to compete for trophies and his ambitions to continue to get better and to play in World Cups are aligned.
“Off the field we’ve heard nothing but good things about him so we can’t wait to start working with him.”
