Wales prop Nicky Smith insists the national squad will face ongoing uncertainty around Welsh rugby “head-on” as the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) moves toward cutting a professional club ahead of the 2027 season.

Wales are preparing for their Autumn Nations Series opener against Argentina on Sunday at the Principality Stadium, but off-pitch turmoil looms large. The WRU is weighing a controversial shift from four professional regions to three, with the Ospreys and Scarlets reportedly most at risk.

“There is no point burying our heads in the sand,” said Smith, who formerly played for the Ospreys and now stars for Leicester Tigers in England.
“It’s good we talk about it off the pitch so that when we’re on it we’re fully focused.”

WRU Restructuring Sparks Concern Among Wales Players

The WRU’s proposal has triggered contract anxiety across the regions, impacting high-profile Welsh stars such as Jac Morgan, Josh Adams, and Aaron Wainwright, who are now on the radar of foreign clubs with their contracts nearing expiry.

Meetings are ongoing between the WRU and leaders from Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys, and Scarlets. Smith, 31, has seen such uncertainty before.

“When I was at Ospreys, I was out of contract during a possible merger – it’s stressful,” added the loose-head prop.
“At Leicester I’m slightly removed, but I understand how draining it can be.”

Steve Tandy Era Begins: Focus Shifts Back to the Field

Despite the off-field distractions, Wales are turning their attention to a tough autumn schedule under new head coach Steve Tandy, who replaced Warren Gatland earlier this year. The four-Test run includes matches against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Smith, who played a key role in ending Wales’ 18-match losing streak with a win over Japan in July, is in line to start at loose-head against the Pumas’ fearsome scrum. He faces competition from Gareth Thomas, Danny Southworth, and Rhys Carre, all battling for the number one jersey.

“The Pumas pride themselves on physicality, but they’ve added so much flair. We’ve got to be ready for anything,” Smith said.