Wales will not ‘bury heads in sand’ over club cut

Autumn international: Wales v Argentina

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Sunday, 9 November Kick-off: 15:10 GMT

Prop Nicky Smith says the Wales squad will not “bury heads in the sand” over the prospect of a professional club being cut.

Wales start their autumn series with uncertainty due to the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) wanting to go from four regions to three – with Ospreys and Scarlets in the firing line.

“Of course there is a lot of noise but the main thing is that the boys just want to play for Wales,” said Smith, formerly of Ospreys and now at Leicester.

“Whether on the pitch or in training, they just want to put their best foot forward.

Wales kick-off their campaign under new head coach Steve Tandy against Argentina on Sunday, with further games against Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.

While the squad are preparing for the Pumas, meetings are taking place between bosses at Cardiff, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets and the WRU to discuss the proposal to scrap one region by 2027.

Smith, whose Leicester contract expires at the end of the season, has been watching the saga from a distance, but the 31-year-old has lived through his fair share of chaos.

“It’s nothing new because when I was at the Ospreys I was out of contract when a merger was coming around the corner,” said Smith.

“It’s a bit easier for me now that I am out of the picture, but when I was in it things were distracting and stressful.”

The Swansea-born forward believes a willingness among players and coaches to talk about problems is helpful.

“If we want to get something off our chests – and that’s not just what is going on now in Welsh rugby, it’s anything – then we do,” he added.

Smith was the starting loose-head when Wales ended their 18-Test losing streak against Japan in Kobe in July.

He is in pole position to get the number one jersey against Argentina’s formidable scrum when Tandy announces his line-up on Friday but there is increased competition.

Smith and Gareth Thomas have been joined by uncapped in-form Cardiff prop Danny Southworth and recalled Rhys Carre, who has been carrying hard and scrummaging strongly for Saracens.

High standards in training are preparing the pack for a daunting date with an Argentina side that relish collisions, but also have plenty of elusive players who can avoid them.

“They have always had a big pack but now we have seen how expansive they can be,” said Smith.

“Their backline is incredible and the forwards are big and physical but can chuck the ball around as well.