Matty Smith excited to go around again in 2022

Matty Smith says he is enjoying his rugby now just as much as he did when he was 18 after signing a new deal with Widnes.

The 34-year-old has played 22 games for the Vikings this season – most of them coming at loose forward – and he has now committed his future to the club for the 2022 campaign.

Smith, who is three appearances short of 350 for his career, is a five-time Super League Grand Finalist, winning two of them as well as enjoying Challenge Cup success in 2013, where he picked up the Lance Todd Trophy as he inspired Wigan to victory.

On his new Widnes deal, Smith said: “When I signed for the club, a few years ago, it was a club that I wanted to be at. It’s a club that I’ve been at before so to sign an extension and to do another year here is great.

“I’m enjoying my rugby now… I’m loving playing like I did when I made my debut at 18. I’ve loved my time here since I’ve been back and I’m looking forward to next year.

“It is a good group here and it is a group that you want to play with. It is a club you want to play for and the history behind the club is massive and they want to strive to get into Super League so if I can be a small part of that, then that works for me and I want to try to achieve that for the club.”

Smith, who was once on the books with Everton FC as a youngster, won four caps for England between 2014-15.

The veteran half-back has enjoyed spells with St Helens, Crusaders, Salford, Wigan, Catalans and Widnes during his illustrious career.

Smith was named in the Super League Dream team in consecutive seasons in 2013 and 2014.