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.
