ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Tuesday May 14, 2019

Franco Smith will take over from Conor O'Shea as Italy coach post 2019 Rugby World Cup

The Cheetahs have confirmed that Head Coach and Director of Rugby Franco Smith will leave to take over as Italy head coach from 1 January 2020. The former Springbok has previously coached Treviso, but is currently in charge of the Cheetahs in the Pro 14.

ADVERTISEMENT

Smith was offered the opportunity to take over from Conor O’Shea after the Rugby World Cup, and has received the full backing of the Cheetahs board of directors.

“The Board of Directors see this as a great opportunity for Franco and is proud of the fact that so many top coaches have been developed by the Free State Cheetahs. Free State Rugby is seen as a breeding ground of opportunity with coaches like Rassie Erasmus, Niel Powell, Jacques Nienaber, Pote Human, Brendon Venter, Rory Duncan, Daan Human, who all started off in the Free State – and in the past, Nelie Smith, Gysie Pienaar and others.

“The Board of Directors is proud of and wishes Franco the best of luck with the opportunity to coach on an international level until the next world cup in 2023.”

Smith becomes the second South African to coach Italy, after Nick Mallett did so between 2007 and 2011.

A highly talented flyhalf or centre in his day, Smith earned 9 Test caps for the Springboks between 1997 and 1999. He later became backline coach for the Cheetahs in 2006.

He will remain in the position as Head Coach for the Currie Cup, where after the new coach will take over the reins for Guinness PRO14 later in September.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The new coach will be part of the coaching structures during Currie Cup to experience the culture. After Currie Cup, Franco will stay in the fold as Director of Rugby until the end of November 2019.”

The process to find and appoint the best candidate for the new Head Coach for the Cheetahs role has begun.  Applications for the position will be advertised internally, externally and through SARU.

Related Articles

  • 42 WEEKS AGO

    South African Kurt-Lee Arendse receives limited...

  • 42 WEEKS AGO

    Fans outraged by the same thing during Argentina...

  • 42 WEEKS AGO

    Quade Cooper leaves the field with a nasty...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 7 HOURS AGO

    Springbok winger with the most athletic non-try of the season

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Jack Crowley drops the ball on dime for brilliant Munster try in URC Final

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    WATCH: World class offload from James O’Connor Leads To Long Range Reds Try

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster up and running with two incredible tries inside the first five minutes

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Chiefs Score The “Best Team Try” In Super Rugby History

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 6 HOURS AGO

    Heroic tackle from Spanish 7s player goes viral

  • 6 HOURS AGO

    No sanction handed down by SANZAAR for tackle that left Reds player with a fractured neck

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Watch: Cheslin Kolbe Dominates Sebastian Cancelliere with back-to-back big tackles

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Ben Curry's World Cup hopes dashed as he becomes the latest victim of the crocodile roll

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Australian rugby player banned for 5 years after assaulting referee

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Barbarians Vs World XV highlights

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Silly Skill From Toulouse Fullback Highlights French Confidence

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea Moment Of Magic In Super Rugby Aotearoa

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    'Armchair athletes' berate Arundell's seriously impressive bench press

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    Worcester Warriors - The End

View All

Funnies

  • 1 DAY AGO

    "Hey Manie oh ah I wanna know if I can block that kick" – Munster's hilarious new song

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Munster Rugby loving life in Cape Town Following URC Final Victory

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: La Rochelle Players Gate Crash O’Gara Interview

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: Stade Rochelais Coaches With All-Time Coaches Box Celebration

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Stephen Jones’s deleted rugby 7s article leads to hilarious wikipedia update

View All

Amateur

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 23 HOURS AGO

    French international receives prison sentence for attack on wife

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    John Afoa breaks record on return to Super Rugby

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Harry Potter to ‘disapparate’ to Australia

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Steve Hansen makes statement following Folau selection

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    O'Gara gives honest response on Ireland job in passionate interview

View All