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JP Smith has departed the LA Giltinis after one season. The 31-year-old loosehead prop has signed a two-year deal with the Lions in the newly-created United Rugby Championship. Jean-Pierre leaves Major League Rugby with just one ‘JP Smith’, the other being the Seattle Seawolves scrumhalf.
A dominant figure in both the set piece and loose play for LA this season, Smith cruelly missed out on the Championship Final due to injury. He appeared in a dozen games during the season including 11 starts and scored 4 tries. Twin brother Ruan was also signed by the Giltinis but did not join in the end, instead opting to retire from professional rugby in June.
The Lions are one of four South African franchises who opted to quit Super Rugby to join the URC, which offered more favorable time zones for television audiences. Smith has previously represented the Stormers in Super Rugby, as well as the Brumbies and Reds from Australia.
