Franco Smith extends Glasgow Warriors stay until 2028

Franco Smith has signed a new three-year contract extension at the Glasgow Warriors.

The head coach has put pen to paper on a new deal that will keep him at the Scotstoun club until 2028, and insists “there is still so much more to achieve”.

The former South Africa international was appointed to the role in August 2022 and led the Warriors to cup glory in the United Rugby Championships last year.

In his first three years, he has overseen one of the club’s 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 their 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 under his leadership, 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.

When the new deal was announced on Wednesday, 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.”