Garyn Smith’s story is a tale for our times in Welsh rugby. A regional stalwart with more than 100 appearances for Cardiff under his belt, he was a player his coach Dai Young wanted to hold on to.
But, in the end, there just wasn’t the money available to offer the hard-running centre a new deal, amid the cost-cutting and squad trimming that’s going on across the pro game in Wales. So, with just a month to go before the end of the season, he was told he was being released.
After some eight years with the region, he suddenly found himself out of work and facing an uncertain future at the age of 26.
Happily, Smith has managed to find a new club in Cornish Pirates, joining the English Championship club on a one-year contract. But he is well aware that many of the other 40-plus players released by the regions are not in such a fortunate position and he admits it’s far from ideal to learn your fate so late in the season.
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Outlining his own experience, Smith said: “This year has been pretty crazy all round, with the trip to South Africa and the bombshell that hit us out there.
“Then, around Christmas time, I sat down and had a chat with Dai. He said they weren’t sure if they could offer me anything. He wanted to keep me and said he would try and work on me staying, but he wasn’t sure how that would work financially.
“We stayed in dialogue and kept having little chats now and again. He was clear all the way through he wanted me to stay and that he was hoping to do something. He was trying to be positive about it, without leading me on and saying he could definitely do something.
“I was still hopeful we would be able to work something out. But when it came down to it, about a month ago, he said he had tried his best, but they couldn’t offer me anything due to the financial situation. That was about it really.
"He said he wanted to keep me on board, but due to circumstances he was unable to offer me anything. He said there was nothing he could do.
“I was obviously really disappointed I wasn’t able to stay and play for a club I’ve grown up wanting to play for, a club I love. It was a big disappointment, but it’s one of those things in professional sport. It comes to a point where things like this happen and you’ve got to move on and find somewhere else.
“From all the chats we had, Dai was trying his best for me to stay. But it’s just part of the game at the moment. He is working under the financial restraints like everyone else at the regions.”
As for the timing of when he heard the bad news, Smith said: “It’s not ideal to be told that late, not at all. We have got families and houses to pay for. It’s hard.
“All players really want is to be told early on in the year. I understand the financial implications in Wales at the moment, across all the regions, with all the player releases.
“But leaving it that late puts a lot of pressure and stress on players. It is tough. It makes it difficult for players to find somewhere else. If they are told early enough, then they can put plans in place to move. It’s not just the players, it’s the families as well, the support group around them.”
He added: “I’m not on my own. It’s right across all the regions. You’ve seen a large group of players being released this year and it is tough on them, not knowing what the future holds. We obviously know what comes with playing rugby and what can happen. It’s part of playing professional sport. It can be uncertain sometimes and it is tough.”
Happily, after a stressful couple of weeks, Smith managed to secure fresh employment with the Penzance-based Cornish Pirates for next season.
“Luckily I have been able to find a club and sort something for my future. I’m able to keep playing professional rugby. That’s what I want to do and luckily what I can still do for the future,” he said.
“It’s great. It’s a bit of a relief that a team did come in and offer me something. I was stressing over what I was going to do for the future. It all happened pretty quick really, within the last month. I’d had interest from other clubs, but then the Pirates offered me the chance to go down there for next year.
“They finished third in the Championship this season. Their aspirations are to finish top. It’s a really good set-up and I’m looking forward to moving down there. Hopefully I can do my best for them and see what comes of that really.
“It’s a lovely part of the world to be living, especially when the weather is nice. I can’t wait. It’s a good standard of rugby in the Championship. They train and play like a professional outfit.”
Having come through the ranks at Pontypridd, following in the footsteps of his father Steve and grandfather Joe, Smith joined the Cardiff Blues Academy and made his senior debut in 2014. In all, he made 111 appearances for the region, while also representing Wales at U18s, U20s and Sevens.
His most memorable outing for the Blues was the 2018 European Challenge Cup Final victory over Gloucester in Bilbao. Pressed into service out of position as a replacement wing, he produced a real “super-sub” display, scoring a try and securing the match-winning penalty which Gareth Anscombe slotted over.
“I came on pretty early when Owen Lane went off injured. It was a bit daunting really. I know I can play on the wing, but obviously in a final, in that stadium, with the pressure on, it’s a bit of a different feeling, rather than coming on in your usual position in the centre. Just being able to contribute and do my best and help the team to win in the end is all I could have hoped for.
“That’s definitely the highlight of my career so far. That week, the build-up to the game, and what followed, the scenes after the match and staying out there. I really enjoyed it all. That will go down as one of the best moments of my life.
“I still get a bit of stick off the boys now and again for my chips ahead, those little kicks down the wing, but that’s just a bit of banter. It’s a good laugh really.”
Reflecting on his time at the Arms Park, Smith concluded: “I have loved every minute of being with Cardiff, starting with coming through the Academy and playing with a lot of boys that came through together. Everyone was so welcoming. I just loved playing for Cardiff.”
