WORCESTER Rugby Club have admitted that Richard Smith sees his future at Cardiff Arms Park.

Sixways' director of rugby John Brain has revealed that the scrum-half is ready to quit Worcester for the chance to return to the international arena.

"Having talked to Richard, at this point in time, his decision would be to leave the club," said Brain.

"He sees playing for Cardiff as enhancing his international prospects."

Worcester, however, are not prepared to let the player go for free and will demand compensation. "We are not going to just let it happen and compensation is being discussed," Brain added.

"This is a professional business as well as a sport and clubs can not just accept players turning up for a new season and announcing they wish to move on. This has come at the 11th hour and the middle of July is not the best time to begin looking for replacement scrum halves."