He might not have earned a Wallabies cap, but one of Australia’s most unheralded stars, Ryan Smith, will leave the Queensland Reds at season’s end.

The 28-year-old, who has played 69 matches for the Reds a further six for Australia A, has officially been unveiled by Ospreys weeks after signing a two-year deal with the Welsh club.

Smith wanted to stay in Australian rugby, but the Reds simply couldn’t afford to keep the hard-working lock without a national top-up. The Reds currently have Test locks Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Canham and Angus Blyth on their books.

Seru Uru, the versatile Wallabies forward, is also off contract but The Roar understands the 28-year-old is moving closer to re-signing with the Reds.

It’s believed Smith, who welcomed his first child into the world last year, will earn around $AU400,000 at Ospreys – roughly double what he would have received had he stayed at Ballymore.

The loss of Smith could be more significant than first meets the eye.

While Smith won’t run over defenders like Salakaia-Loto, there was no surprises he was handed his Reds debut by Brad Thorn because the lock forward was cut from the same cloth as his former coach.

Indeed, the lock has been the Reds’ best second-rower for the past three years.

Smith’s work on the field led to Joe Schmidt including the 198cm lock in his initial Wallabies squad last year.

Rising lock Ryan Smith (L) will depart the Queensland Reds at season’s end. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)

His fine work at the maul and around the set-piece has been missed in recent weeks, with the Reds’ lineout struggling in recent weeks with the former Rebels duo of Canham and Salakaia-Loto starting.

Smith, who previously helped install air conditioning units as he toiled his way through the Queensland club rugby ranks with Brothers, said he wanted to go out on a high with the Reds.

“I’m extremely grateful for my time at the Queensland Reds and for everyone at the club that has played a part in my development to this point,” said Smith, who captained the Reds for the first time recently.

“It’s important for me to repay that by giving my all until the end of the season and leaving on a high note.

“There is a great opportunity here for me to test myself in a new environment, which is always a challenge, but that is something that drives me as a player and person.

“It’s an exciting time to be joining the Ospreys, they’re playing some really attractive rugby under Mark Jones and I’m looking forward to being a part of that.”

Smith will help fill the void left by Wales and British and Irish Lions lock Adam Beard, who will depart the Welsh region at the end of this season.

Ryan Smith has been in rich tryscoring form in 2025. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Jones, the former Welsh wing, said he was thrilled to welcome Smith to the club.

“Signing Ryan is a real coup for the Ospreys but it’s also evidence of the progress we are making as a club.

“Ryan has all the physical attributes needed to be a top Ospreys player, and he’s shown some real X-factor capabilities that we feel can have a positive influence on the all-court game we’re striving to play.

“When the opportunity arises to sign a quality impact player on both sides of the ball you have to take it, so I’m really happy the club has managed to get this one over the line.

“There’s also an excellent opportunity here for our younger locks to benefit from training alongside an experienced player who comes from a different playing background, which will be a massive benefit for their development in the long-term.”