Franco Smith, former Springbok player and coach, is emerging as a leading contender for the vacant Wales head coach role after Warren Gatland’s departure. Gatland was dismissed last week following Wales’ 14th consecutive Test defeat, a streak stretching back to the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
In the interim, Cardiff boss Matt Sheratt has been appointed as head coach for the remainder of the Six Nations, where Wales currently sits at the bottom of the standings.
According to WalesOnline, Smith, along with Ireland’s interim head coach Simon Easterby, is a strong candidate for the permanent role. However, with Ireland thriving under Easterby’s leadership, he’s expected to take over as the permanent head coach for Ireland, potentially leaving Smith as the top pick for Wales.
Smith’s coaching credentials are impressive. After serving as the Springboks’ forwards coach from 2017 to 2018, he became Italy’s head coach from 2019 to 2021 before overseeing their high-performance department. More recently, Smith led Glasgow Warriors to success in the 2023-24 United Rugby Championship, where they currently sit second on the log.
While Smith’s success with Glasgow is ongoing, he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of taking over at Wales if the opportunity arises.
“This is a difficult one to answer,” Smith told the Scotsman. “Right now, my focus is on the Glasgow Warriors squad. It’s an honor to be mentioned in these discussions, but for now, I’m concentrating on what’s ahead for next year.”
Smith’s contract with Glasgow runs until the end of 2026, but he remains open to future opportunities without allowing them to distract him from his current role.
