SA's Franco Smith lands URC head coaching gig at Glasgow Warriors

Scottish club Glasgow Warriors have named Franco Smith as their new head coach.

Glasgow said on their official website that that the South African will join them on an initial two-year contract.

Smith, 50, will arrive at the United Rugby Championship outfit from the Italian Rugby Federation where he has been the Head of High Performance since 2021, having previously served as head coach of the Italian national team.

He will report for duty at Scotstoun at the end of August, prior to the club's two pre-season fixtures, after a short notice period. In the coming weeks he will be in close contact with his assistant coaches - Nigel Carolan, Peter Murchie, Alasdair Dickinson, and Pete Horne.

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"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," Smith said in a statement.

"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 am looking forward to joining the club and getting to know the coaching staff and players as we begin working together."

During his playing days, Smith played as a flyhalf and centre and was capped nine times by the Springboks between