The Ospreys are clinging to the hope they be able to chase away the sharks that are circling Nicky Smith, but admit the "catastrophic" situation in Welsh rugby makes things difficult.
One of the top-performing props in the United Rugby Championship this season, the 28-year-old loosehead has nonetheless found himself out in the cold with Wales, with Smith restricted to just 35 minutes of action during the autumn Tests and left out of the set-up completely for the Six Nations.
A number of English clubs are now interested in recruiting him as he heads towards free-agent status this summer.
Bath, Bristol Bears, Gloucester and Northampton are among those believed to be keen on securing his services, with Smith in real danger of leaving, as first reported by WalesOnline.
The Ospreys say they are not being helped by the current situation in Welsh rugby, with restraints on the regions’ ability to make unconditional contract offers to players amid the financial crisis gripping the sport this side of the River Severn.
Asked about suggestions Smith could leave, head coach Toby Booth said: “We’re hopeful that doesn’t happen, of course.
“Nicky’s very important to us. He’s going to captain the side at the weekend and he’s in our leadership group.
“But, unfortunately, with the catastrophic contractual situation in Wales, people can’t wait for ever.
”Good teams want good players.
"The sooner we can get permission and our act together and certainty, the sooner we can move and get people remaining in Wales.
"Until we’ve been given the green light to do that it becomes more problematic and the chances of people leaving become a greater factor, because, ultimately, players have short careers and they want to know what their futures are.
"It’s hugely frustrating. I understand the game has to be sustainable and I’m very respectful of that.
"But we just want some certainty to know what we’ve got."
Booth continued: “We’re hopeful we can make something happen.
“His involvement with Wales would have strengthened that situation. He’s not been involved and our job is to perform well enough to get him back in there, but, ultimately, it’s that time of year, the clock’s ticking and we want to get on with things.
“The sooner we can get on with things, the greater our chances of retaining an international prop in Wales. That’s important for everybody.”
Who will win Wales v Ireland? Cast your vote now
Booth has met with the strong-scrummaging Smith and says the 42-cap Wales international doesn’t want to leave. “I’m very clear on our intentions to keep Nicky. He’s part of the fixtures and furnishings here," said Booth.
“We’ve discussed it. Ultimately, the decision will come down to our ability to offer a contract and where he sits in the Welsh set-up. It won’t be because he doesn’t enjoy the Ospreys, because he does.
"Nicky, Justin Tipuric and Adam Beard are as thick as thieves. It won’t be around what we’re doing, because we’re playing well enough and he’s enjoying his rugby. It’s around certainty and security and that’s a different decision which we have to respect.”
READ MORE:
- Major WRU sponsors speak out and tell rugby bosses to act over allegations of 'toxic' culture
Mark Drakeford demands WRU publicly acknowledge scale of issues raised in devastating programme
- 'Child sex abuse jokes' alleged at WRU event as details of Amanda Blanc's devastating resignation speech emerge
- Jamie George incident sparks outrage and calls for investigation
- The exile hunter: Unsung talent spotter tasked with finding Warren Gatland new Wales stars
