Nicky Smith, the loose-head prop for Wales, will depart Leicester Tigers at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
At 31 years old, Smith, who made the move to the Tigers from Ospreys in 2024, has opted to decline a new contract from the Premiership club, as stated in an official club announcement.
Smith has recently been linked with a transfer to Sale. He has made a total of 32 appearances for Leicester, including eight this season, seven of which were starts.
Leicester’s head coach, Geoff Parling, expressed regret over Smith’s decision, stating that the club “would have loved to have kept him.”
“Nicky is not only a phenomenal player but also a fantastic presence in the changing room,” Parling told the club’s website.
“Understanding his value, we had hoped to retain him for the next couple of years, but he has chosen to pursue a longer-term opportunity elsewhere.”
“We appreciate his current commitment to the team and look forward to seeing his impactful performances for the remainder of the season.”
Smith, who has earned 59 caps for Wales, is the second player to confirm his exit from the club this summer, following England lock George Martin, who has signed with Saracens for 2025-26.
In contrast, seven players have recently confirmed new contracts with the club, and Parling indicated that more announcements are forthcoming.
“We will unveil another batch of retained players this week and are in advanced discussions with targeted recruits, which we will disclose once finalized,” Parling added.