Glasgow Warriors have secured the long-term future of Head Coach Franco Smith, with the South African signing a contract extension through to 2028. The deal ensures the BKT URC title-winning coach remains in charge at Scotstoun for at least another three seasons.
Smith, who took over as the club’s tenth Head Coach in August 2022, has overseen one of the most successful periods in Glasgow’s professional history.
From the outset, he made an impact – his first competitive home game in charge produced a half-century of points, setting the tone for a tenure defined by ambition and attacking rugby. In his debut campaign, he guided the Warriors to the EPCR Challenge Cup Final, the first European final in the club’s history.
That was followed by the crowning moment of his tenure so far: lifting the BKT United Rugby Championship in June 2024 with a dramatic 21-16 victory over the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld – one of the greatest achievements in Glasgow rugby.
Under Smith, Glasgow have become consistent playoff contenders and have dominated the 1872 Cup rivalry with Edinburgh, winning the last three series. Last season’s opening fixture saw the Warriors triumph 33-14 in front of a record 27,538 fans at Hampden Park.
The South African has also played a central role in player development. Since his arrival, 28 players have made their debuts for the club – 12 of whom came through the academy system. His influence has extended to the international stage too, with six players making their Scotland debut and a further six earning selection for the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia.
Reflecting on his new deal, 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 highlighted the significance of retaining Smith’s services:
“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 added:
“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.”
With Smith locked in until 2028, Glasgow Warriors have laid the foundations for continued growth and ambition, both in Scotland and on the European stage.
