WHEELCHAIR RUGBY star Jack Smith believes “everyone should be scared” of reigning champions Great Britain ahead of their Paralympic title defence.

Smith is set to be named tomorrow in his country’s squad for Paris 2024 — three years on from making history in Tokyo by helping clinch Paralympics GB’s first gold medal in the team sport.

Since that unprecedented feat, Britain have twice been runners-up to France at the European Championships in addition to a disappointing seventh-place finish at the 2022 World Championship during a period of transition.

Yet Smith feels his team possess a fear factor and the capability to retain their crown in the French capital.

“We should almost be putting that target on our backs ourselves, give us a bit more belief,” the 33-year-old said.

“We are the reigning champions. We might not have had the best cycle so far leading up to the games but ultimately we’re going there as gold medal winners from Tokyo, so everyone should be gunning for us and everyone should be scared of us.

“We are the best team, we believe, and we fully believe that we have what it takes to go out there and win that gold.”

Great Britain defeated Canada, New Zealand, hosts Japan and the United States to top the Paralympic podium in 2021.