Springbok coach in line for Wales top job

Wales eye Springbok coach for top job

A former Springbok player and coach is in contention to take charge of the Wales after Warren Gatland’s unceremonious dumping.

Glasgow Warriors have appointed South African former Italy head coach Franco Smith as Danny Wilson's successor. Photo: GEOFF CADDICK/AFP via Getty Images

Former Springbok player and coach Franco Smith is a frontrunner in the race for Wales head coach position, left vacant by Warren Gatland’s exit.

Gatland was sent packing last week after steering Wales to an unwanted record 14th straight Test defeat dating back to the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The Welsh Rugby Union has since appointed Cardiff boss Matt Sheratt as interim head coach for the remainder of the Six Nations, where Wales is currently sitting rock bottom on the log.

According to the WalesOnline, Smith and Ireland’s interim head coach Simon Easterby are the two clear-cut favourites to take over on a permanent basis.

However, with Ireland performing superbly under Easterby’s guidance, he is likely to be appointed as the permanent head coach of the Irish Test side; which would place Smith in the inside lane for the Wales job.

Smith previously worked as Springbok forwards coach between 2017 and 2018, followed by a stint as Italy’s head coach from 2019 to 2021 and then as their head of high performance in 2021 and 2022.

The former Springbok then took charge of the Glasgow Warriors, a team he led to the 2023-24 United Rugby Championship and who currently sit on second position in this season’s URC log.

Despite his continued success with the Scottish club, Smith didn’t rule the possibility of jumping at the opportunity to coach Wales if he is asked.

“This is a difficult one to answer,” Smith told the Scotsman. “Obviously, my focus is here with the [Glasgow Warriors] squad for now. I’ve got no real comment to make.

“It’s a compliment to be mentioned in all these conversations and I’m appreciative of that. For now, I’m just focusing on what’s going to happen next year,” the Springbok added.

“My contract is until the end of 2026, so although there are conversations, and I’m really privileged and honoured to be a part of it, for now, I’m not going to be distracted from what needs to be done next year.”