Nicky Smith: Leicester-bound Ospreys prop aims to leave on a high

Departing Ospreys prop Nicky Smith believes the season will be unsuccessful unless they make the United Rugby Championship play-offs.

This leaves Toby Booth’s side with just finishing in the top half of the league to concentrate on.

“We want to get to the play-offs, it won’t be a success if we don’t make it,” said Smith.

With five league games remaining, Ospreys are currently in South Africa with games against Stormers on 20 April and Bulls seven days later.

It could be the final five games for Smith in an Ospreys jersey after he chose to join Leicester next season.

“It was a tough decision,” said Smith.

“Playing for the Ospreys has meant everything to me, being a Swansea boy, living 10 minutes from the ground. It’s been an absolute honour for me to pull on the jersey.

“But where I am in my rugby career and, more importantly, my family life, it’s the right time to test myself in a different league and a different environment.

“It’s a strange feeling, but I am just looking to finishing on a high. I am so keen to help the boys as much as I can to get into those play-offs and push for silverware.”

Smith, 30, was injured for the start of the Six Nations and was not called up by head coach Warren Gatland in a campaign where Wales finished bottom with five defeats.

The 46-cap loose-head prop will still be eligible for Wales despite his move to an English club.

“It’s everyone’s ambition to play for their country, I am no different,” said Smith.

“With that move it was purely thinking – how can I test myself in a different environment?

“If international honours come from it, then brilliant. But the main thing was (getting) an opportunity to look at myself and think – is this the right opportunity to really test myself?

“Of course, international honours would be great. But it is what it is, you can’t rely on that, we’ll just have to wait and see.”