Premiership rivals enter tug of war over Bulls prop Mornay Smith

Gloucester are set to go head-to-head with West Country rivals Bristol Bears in the race to land Bulls tighthead Mornay Smith in a deal from the start of next season.

The Cherry and Whites have been looking to spend around £250k on an experienced tighthead and have identified Smith, 26, whom the Bulls are prepared to let go despite his contract having another year left to run.

Carlu Sadie's impending arrival at Loftus Versfeld Stadium from Bordeaux for next season means that Smith is surplus to requirements at his hometown club, and they are prepared to let him leave.

The former South Africa Schools A international, who was among the replacements for South Africa A when they played the Bears at Ashton Gate in November 2022, has made 67 appearances for the Bulls.

He has only played once this season, in a win over Edinburgh in September, and his chances will be even more limited when Sadie returns from the Top 14, which has opened up the chance of a move to the Gallagher Premiership next season.

Bulls boss Jake White earlier this week included Smith in his 34-man squad for the two-week trip to Ireland and England, where they will play Connacht in the United Rugby Championship and Saracens in the Investec Champions Cup.

Smith, who made his debut for the Bulls in 2018, has twice been a member of Currie Cup-winning squads as well as a runner-up in the Pro14 Rainbow Cup and URC.

Gloucester have been looking to add players to their squad next season and have spoken to Harlequins, former England outside centre Will Joseph, and Sharks blindside flanker James Venter.

While the Bears have already been very active in the transfer market, announcing deals for Scotland international Tom Jordan from Glasgow Warriors and Newcastle Falcons' Argentinian international lock Pedro Rubiolo.