Glasgow Warriors has extended the contract of Head Coach Franco Smith through to 2028 in a new deal that will see the URC title winning coach stay in Scotland.
Head Coach Smith says “there is still so much more we can achieve” having put pen to paper on a new contract that will see him remain at Scotstoun until at least the summer of 2028.
Having been appointed as the tenth Head Coach in the club’s history in August 2022, the former South African international has swiftly written his name into the Glasgow Warriors record books, overseeing one of the most successful spells since the dawn of the professional era.
A half-century of points in his first competitive home match in charge set the tone for what was to follow, as Smith led his squad to the EPCR Challenge Cup Final – the first European final in the club’s history – in his inaugural season at the helm.
The Warriors then followed that achievement with one of the most unforgettable moments in Glasgow rugby history, lifting the BKT United Rugby Championship title in dramatic fashion with a 21-16 victory over the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in June 2024.
With his squad an ever-present in the BKT URC playoffs, Smith has also overseen three successive 1872 Cup triumphs over Edinburgh, with last season’s opening 1872 Cup fixture – a 33-14 win over the men from the east coast – taking place in front of a club record crowd of 27,538 supporters at Hampden Park.
Under Smith, 28 players have made their debut for Glasgow Warriors, including 12 players that have come through the club’s academy system.
In addition, six players have made their senior Scotland debut, with a further six players earning selection for the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia.
Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Franco Smith said: “I’m incredibly proud and grateful to extend my journey with this club. From day one, I’ve believed in the vision we share to build something special, to push our limits, and to grow together as a team and as a community.
“The players, the people, and the supporters have created an environment full of trust and ambition, and that inspires me every single day. There’s still so much more we can achieve, and I’m excited to keep working hard to take this club to the next level.”
Scottish Rugby CEO Alex Williamson said: “Franco is rightly acknowledged as one of the leading coaches in world rugby right now and so it was important for us to retain his services so Glasgow Warriors and its players can continue to progress and develop under his leadership.
“We want all our representative and professional teams to be highly competitive and the role our pro teams play in our high-performance eco-system is crucial to our wider success.
“Securing Franco through until 2028 is a clear sign of intent that we will invest in our high-performance teams and we look forward to working with him again this season and beyond.”
Outgoing Glasgow Warriors Managing Director Al Kellock said: “The club is absolutely delighted to have Franco commit his future here.
“Since his arrival, he has brought a clear identity, relentless energy, and an unwavering belief in the project.
“His leadership has been instrumental in driving standards both on and off the field, and the impact is evident in the way the team plays and the culture that has been created.
“This extension is a statement of intent, the ambition is high, and with Franco at the helm, there is real belief that something truly special can be achieved.”
Lunastar
Sport Trivia: She was the first South African to win gold at the Olympics after 44 years. She won the gold medal in the 100m and 200m breaststroke in Atlanta in 1996. Answer: Penny Heyns. Penny Heynes held 14 records for breaststroke. During the 1999 Pan Pacific games, she broke 6 world records, (many of them her own previous records), and by the end of 1999 she held the record for the 50m, 100m and 200m long course breaststroke, simultaneously.
third moon
When a batsman scores 100 runs, it’s called a century and is considered an achievement.