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'Depth of knowledge stood out': Glasgow appoint Franco Smith

(Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty Images)

Glasgow have appointed Franco Smith as their new head coach on an initial two-year contract. The 50-year-old joins from the Italian Rugby Federation where he has served as head of high performance since 2021. He took on that role having previously been the Italy national team head coach from 2020 only to be replaced by Kieran Crowley.

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The Warriors had been linked with a host of names in recent months since sacking Danny Wilson on the back of their humiliating URC quarter-final exit at Leinster, a knockout match that they lost 76-14 in Dublin.

Seasoned coaches such as Dean Richards and Todd Blackadder were mentioned as possibilities to succeed Wilson, but Glasgow have instead gone for Smith who will arrive at Scotstoun at the end of August after a short notice period.

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Smith will start work prior to the club’s two pre-season fixtures and he will be in close contact with his assistant coaches – Nigel Carolan, Peter Murchie, Alasdair Dickinson, and Pete Horne – in the coming weeks.

Smith said: “I have followed Glasgow for a long time since coaching at Benetton when they joined the PRO12 in 2010 and the way they play has always appealed to me because their style is embraced by the fans.

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“In coaching, I always have these objectives: to play a winning brand of rugby, to have a style that is good to watch and that the fans can associate with – it is the Warrior Nation’s team and our responsibility through the coaches and players is to represent them.

“There are also opportunities at Glasgow to contribute to the pathway for up-and-coming players, making sure we are developing creative, fit, and knowledgeable rugby players from a young age that we will bring all the way through to Scotland. I’m looking forward to joining the club and getting to know the coaching staff and players as we begin working together.”

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The ex-Springboks player made a try-scoring debut against Scotland at Murrayfield and won nine caps for his country between 1996 and 1999. During his club career he played for Free State Cheetahs, Griquas, Blue Bulls and The Pumas in South Africa, as well as Newport, Bologna and Benetton Treviso in Europe.

Smith began coaching soon after retiring, first as backs coach for Cheetahs before returning to Italy in 2007 as Benetton head coach of Benetton. In Treviso, he won two National Championship of Excellence titles and he returned to Cheetahs in 2014, leading them to two Currie Cup titles in 2016 and 2019. He also spent time as an assistant coach with South Africa during 2017 and 2018.

Glasgow managing director Alastair Kellock added: “We are delighted to be signing a head coach with Franco’s club and international experience to lead our squad in the coming seasons. After an extensive search, it was Franco’s depth of knowledge in the game and his experiences at professional club and international levels that stood out. Thank you to the Italian Rugby Federation for their willingness to make this appointment possible.

“I know Franco will bring an exciting identity to our game based on a high tempo and hard work, and he will bring the best out of the talented group of players we have at Scotstoun. Franco is also known for developing players from a young age, and with five recent graduates from the FOSROC Academy and a number close behind growing these players remains a key focus for the club.”

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J
JW 2 hours ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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