“I was in and out”- Smith looks back at stop start International career

One of the more experienced players in the Wales setup, Nicky Smith has got more than 50 Caps but when it comes to International rugby hasn’t really had the same respect as others.

After an 11-year international career for the first time since 2021, the 30-year-old will start back-to-back Test matches. This happened last in the Summer of 2021 when Wales hosted both Canada and Argentina at Principality Stadium.

The Leicester Tiger man only got Taulupe Faletau, Elliot Dee, Tomos Williams and Aaron Wainwright, who have played more Tests than the loosehead who are set to face Scotland.

“With every selection you always, as a sportsman, back yourself every time, even if you are playing well or aren’t playing well,” said Smith.

“You always think you deserve to be there and I’m no different in that.

“Of course every time you aren’t selected is tough but I got to the point where I said all I can do is crack on with the Ospreys or when I moved to Leicester.

“I try to pride myself on putting in my best performance each week.”

Wales take on Scotland later this afternoon, but this encounter at Murrayfield will be just his fifth time he has started consecutive matches for Wales. Then on three occasions he has gone more than 400 days without playing on the International stage.

“When I look back, when I started my Wales career I was in and out,” insisted the loosehead who has made 30 appearances for his country off the bench.

He joins up with Dee and WillGriff John in the front row, for the Murrayfield clash and it must be said that all three caused Ireland all sorts of problems last timeout when it came to scrum time.

“We will look to build on that,” added Smith.

“It was a good start – well I say start – against a tough Ireland team. 

“We are looking for the same again and getting dominance in that area.

“There has always been an element of set-piece being a weapon. There is a real buy-in with the pack that if we can get dominance in the set-piece then it just opens the game up so much easier.

“Hopefully, these next two games we can put a platform together because the back-line we have got is so exciting that I think it would be criminal if we don’t give them a good platform and good ball to go and express themselves.”