Nicky Smith says that it was “nice to have the trust” from Matt Sherratt as the new Wales interim coach started him at loosehead prop for the first time in the Six Nations in six years.

Smith, who moved from hometown club Ospreys to Leicester Tigers last summer, has been in excellent form this season, leading to a recall to the Wales set up in the autumn under Warren Gatland.

The 30-year-old prop came off the bench against Fiji and Australia, as well as starting the final fixture against South Africa.

Sherratt’s Fresh Ideas

Despite the chaos of the last couple of weeks in Welsh rugby, Smith admits that he found out that Gatland had left at the same time as the rest of the world did.

“Between the Italy and Ireland game, I was back with Leicester,” Smith explained.

“So I found out pretty much when everyone else did. When Jockey [Matt Sherratt] got the job, I didn’t get back to camp until the next Monday.”

Wales were praised during their last Six Nations match – a 18-27 defeat to Ireland – for their bravery with the ball and renewed strength at set piece.

“Jockey has brought fresh ideas,” Smith added.

“As a squad, we needed that. We needed to freshen things up, look at the game in a different way and go about things with a different gameplan.

“Everyone saw the boys response on the weekend, but it means nothing if we don’t back it up with a performance and result this Saturday.”

Murrayfield Test

Wales travel to Edinburgh to face Scotland in what is their last away game of this year’s Six Nations.

Despite Wales’s own losing streak, their opponents have also underperformed this campaign, losing their last two against Ireland and England.

Smith is looking forward to piling on the pressure at Murrayfield on Saturday.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play at Murrayfield before and outside of the Principality, it’s probably my favourite places to play,” he said.

“The crowd is always buzzing and we always have a good load of travelling Welsh fans too.”

Family Moment

Making his 50th cap off the bench in France, Smith was not able to celebrate after the match with his young family because they could not travel.

Playing their first home match against Ireland, he was able to put on his commemorative cap and properly mark the momentous ocassion.

“It was a lovely moment,” Smith added.

“France was a late kick off on a Friday night so the kids could not come out. Those are the moments that matter, celebrating with family.

“It’s a moment I’ll cherish forever.”

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