Since taking the reins at Glasgow Warriors in 2022, Franco Smith has transformed the squad into a formidable force, elevating his status as a top contender for the Scotland head coach position post-2027 World Cup. As rumors swirl about current coach Gregor Townsend's potential move to Newcastle Red Bulls, Smith's achievements, including a Vodacom URC title and an EPCR Challenge Cup final appearance, speak volumes. This Saturday, he'll face a personal test as his Warriors clash with his old team, the Bulls, in the Investec Champions Cup last 16.
Johnnie Beattie, a former Glasgow and Scotland player, praises Smith’s impact, “
‘He’s a guy that has got Glasgow absolutely flying, but has found a way to get physical performances out of a Glasgow Warriors side as well, which is maybe the thing people would argue is lacking at international level with Scotland,’
” highlighting the dynamic and robust style Smith has instilled. Beattie further asserts, “If Gregor is to go off to Newcastle Red Bulls come the end of the World Cup in 2027, Franco Smith would be the clear favourite for the job from everyone in Scotland.”
Smith's coaching credentials were honed during a six-year tenure at Benetton in Italy and periods at the Cheetahs, framed by a playing career that spanned South Africa, Wales, and Italy, including nine appearances as a Springbok. His stint as Italy's head coach before returning to club rugby in Scotland set the stage for Italy’s rugby renaissance under Gonzalo Quesada.
Dean Budd, a former Italy and Treviso lock, commends Smith's coaching prowess, “Franco’s a world-class coach. His technical aptitude is second to none, he understands the game so incredibly well.” However, Budd noted that Smith’s straightforward style was met with mixed reactions, “He’s very to the point in his approach and was received well by some and not always by others.”
Smith’s arrival at Glasgow was a game-changer for a team that had been struggling, finishing eighth in the league the season before his arrival—their worst placement since the 2010-11 season. The positive feedback from former Cheetahs players about Smith's coaching style was a crucial factor in his recruitment, according to Beattie, who was involved in the process.
This season, Smith’s strategies have propelled the Warriors to the top of the URC table, matching the Bulls as the league’s joint-leading try-scorers. Their flawless performance in the Champions Cup pool stage, including a significant win over Toulouse, underscores the attractive and effective brand of rugby Smith champions. Beattie sums it up: “That would be down to his coaching style, his influence on the players, the structures and the templates that he’s put on that squad. All those things point in the direction of an incredibly, incredibly smart coach who is doing a wonderful job.”
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Since taking the reins at Glasgow Warriors in 2022, Franco Smith has transformed the squad into a formidable force, elevating his status as a top contender for the Scotland head coach position post-2027 World Cup. As rumors swirl about current coach Gregor Townsend's potential move to Newcastle Red Bulls, Smith's achievements, including a Vodacom URC title and an EPCR Challenge Cup final appearance, speak volumes. This Saturday, he'll face a personal test as his Warriors clash with his old team, the Bulls, in the Investec Champions Cup last 16.
Johnnie Beattie, a former Glasgow and Scotland player, praises Smith’s impact, “
‘He’s a guy that has got Glasgow absolutely flying, but has found a way to get physical performances out of a Glasgow Warriors side as well, which is maybe the thing people would argue is lacking at international level with Scotland,’
” highlighting the dynamic and robust style Smith has instilled. Beattie further asserts, “If Gregor is to go off to Newcastle Red Bulls come the end of the World Cup in 2027, Franco Smith would be the clear favourite for the job from everyone in Scotland.”Smith's coaching credentials were honed during a six-year tenure at Benetton in Italy and periods at the Cheetahs, framed by a playing career that spanned South Africa, Wales, and Italy, including nine appearances as a Springbok. His stint as Italy's head coach before returning to club rugby in Scotland set the stage for Italy’s rugby renaissance under Gonzalo Quesada.
Dean Budd, a former Italy and Treviso lock, commends Smith's coaching prowess, “Franco’s a world-class coach. His technical aptitude is second to none, he understands the game so incredibly well.” However, Budd noted that Smith’s straightforward style was met with mixed reactions, “He’s very to the point in his approach and was received well by some and not always by others.”
Smith’s arrival at Glasgow was a game-changer for a team that had been struggling, finishing eighth in the league the season before his arrival—their worst placement since the 2010-11 season. The positive feedback from former Cheetahs players about Smith's coaching style was a crucial factor in his recruitment, according to Beattie, who was involved in the process.
This season, Smith’s strategies have propelled the Warriors to the top of the URC table, matching the Bulls as the league’s joint-leading try-scorers. Their flawless performance in the Champions Cup pool stage, including a significant win over Toulouse, underscores the attractive and effective brand of rugby Smith champions. Beattie sums it up: “That would be down to his coaching style, his influence on the players, the structures and the templates that he’s put on that squad. All those things point in the direction of an incredibly, incredibly smart coach who is doing a wonderful job.”