PREM latest: Wales international makes cross-league switch as length of deal confirmed
Nicky Smith will head to Sale Sharks next season
Wales international Nicky Smith will head from the East Midlands to the North West come next season, after penning a deal to join Sale Sharks.
Smith has become a key cog in the Leicester Tigers pack since his arrival from Ospreys in 2024, making 31 appearances for the club at the time of writing, but will now head to the Sharks on a three-year deal from the start of next season.
He becomes the second high-profile signing at the CorpAcq Stadium in recent weeks, following Joe Marchant to the club.
Nicky Smith signs for Sale Sharks
Smith also brings solid Test experience with him to the Sharks, with 59 caps for Wales to his name following his debut against Fiji in 2014.
He now joins an ever-improving Sale front-row, alongside Bevan Rodd and Asher Opoku-Fordjour.
Commenting on the move, Smith said: “I spoke to Alex Sanderson and I loved how ambitious he was about what the club wants to achieve. 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.”
Also commenting, Sharks director of rugby, Alex Sanderson, added: “Nicky has been one of the most aggressive, consistent, high-quality scrummagers in the Prem over the past couple of years.
“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.”
Smith is also the latest Wales international to head to a new club for next season, with fellow Test stars Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake both headed to Gloucester for next season.