The 21-year-old is bidding to force his way into the Rugby World Cup squad and is currently in Switzerland on the first pre-tournament training camp. His new contrct will tie him to the Ospreys until 2019.
“I’m really pleased to be signing this new deal” he said. “I’m really grateful to everyone at the Ospreys for giving me the chance and for allowing me to secure my long-term future with my home region.
“I couldn’t have asked for any more in my first full season as an Osprey. To play so many games, and to be involved all the way through to the semi-finals of the PRO12, followed by this new contract is brilliant,” said Smith.
“I’ve still got a lot of hard work to do and I realise I’ve not really achieved anything yet. I’m still very young and learning the game. If I can stay fit, keep working hard and keep improving, I hope to get more game time and be able to establish myself as an Osprey.
“This is a great place for youngsters to develop. There are quality players all around you when you are working every day. I’m really looking forward to learning from Paul James as well, as I know I’ve got a long way to go.”
Smith is a product of the region’s development pathway, having progressed from Waunarlwydd RFC to the Ospreys via the age-grade structure and Swansea RFC. The former Pentrehafod Comprehensive School pupil made his senior Ospryes debut in an LV= Cup tie against the Dragons in January 2013 and the following season he featured regularly off the bench in the PRO12.
He played at two Junior World Championships with Wales U20s and after playing in the opening eight games of last season he made his senior Welsh debut against Fiji last November.
Andrew Millward, Rugby General Manager at the Opsreys, believes Smith is another example of the hard work being done behind the scenes at the region to develop the best home grown talent. The attitude and appetite for learning demonstrated by the young prop has earned him his long term contract.
“He’s very mature for someone of his age, scrummages well, and can be effective around the field. He has enjoyed a very good 18 months, which has seen him become a regional regular, gaining some great experience for such a young prop,” said Millward.
“The next challenge for him is to build on that to ensure he reaches his full potential over the coming seasons, especially now that he isn’t going to be an unknown quantity for other teams.”
Smith is the latest Ospreys to recommit to the region in 2015, following on from Matthew Dwyer, Joe Bearman, Tom Grabham, Tom Habberfield and Dmitri Arhip, while skipper, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb have all signed National Dual Contracts with the WRU.
