Hardy is getting back to his best

AFTER going through a challenging spell in his career, Kieran Hardy is now enjoying his rugby again and playing with a smile on his face.

- By SIMON THOMAS

The scrum-half was a regular fixture in the Wales set-up for some four years, winning 23 caps after making his Test debut in 2020, with the high point being a crucial try in the Triple Crown-clinching win over England during the 2021 Six Nations title triumph.

But he has recently slipped down the pecking order, finding himself omitted from the last two squads, while his starts at regional level have been limited at times over the past few seasons.

Having moved from the Scarlets to the Ospreys last summer, he missed the beginning of the current campaign through injury.

But he now looks to be getting back to his form of old, having shown up well in last weekend’s narrow defeat to URC leaders Leinster in Swansea.

“I am definitely enjoying my rugby. I am playing with a smile on my face,” said the 29-year-old. “It’s nice to be back to that. I probably lost that for a couple of years and it was difficult to find some form then.