Glasgow's warriors fly to Wales tomorrow morning before their game of the United Rugby championship against dragons this weekend. Franco Smith will be on the plane for that brief trip to Cardiff, but what chance that the chief coach is also addressing for the flight back home on Sunday night?
Warriors supporters desperately expect Smith's stay in Wales to be a fleeting as speculations that man could be to happen to Warren Gatland as the chief coach of the rugby team besieged from that nation.
Smith would be so suitable for that role for many reasons that it should hardly surprise that the junction of Welsh rugby (WRU) has made it quite high on its short list.
Corrino for the Springboks as a player before working with Italy first as a chief coach and then as a high -performance leader, the 52 -year -old man is someone familiar and comfortable with the international rugby.
His success in delivering the title of URC to Glasgow last season also shows that he is a winner, a feature that Wales could definitely do after suffering his 14th defeat in the rebound last weekend, which leads Gatland to fall into Your sword.
Franco Smith says that he feels privileged to be mentioned in relation to the work of Wales
The executive president of Rugby Scottish, Alex Williamson, will not want to lose Smith so early in his mandate
Warren Gatland resigned as Wales chief coach after a race of 14 consecutive losses
Matt Sherratt will take care of the last three games of the six nations of Wales, even to Scotland next month, before returning to his daily work, since Cardiff indicated that he does not want to obtain the full -time role.
At that time, if not before, the WRU will intensify its approach to land the long -term successor of Gatland and Smith will surely be in the frame.
The South African was shy when asked above all today, saying that he felt “privileged” of being mentioned in relation to that work without being too sprouting about it. However, he also completely killed all the stone speculation that he could have done if he had categorically denied any interest in the vacancy.
Smith's contract with the Scottish rugby extends until next year and insisted that it would continue to be his only focus in the coming months. But what could do from 2026 onwards remain in the air.
“It's hard to answer,” he said when asked about this week's speculation. 'My approach is absolutely here with the team for now. Currently, I don't have a real comment to do. It is a fulfillment to be mentioned in all these conversations and I appreciate that.
'For now, I'm focusing on what will happen next year. My contract here is until 2026. There are conversations (which happen elsewhere) and I feel really honored to be part of it, but for now I will not let that distract me from what you have to do next year. '
Losing one of the best foreign coaches to have worked in this country would not be a great aspect for the new executive director of Rugby Scottish, Alex Williamson, just a few weeks after his role.
Williamson sat down with Glasgow chief coach earlier this week in Scotstoun, but Smith revealed that it was only a general introduction, where other people's futures were discussed, but not his.
He added: 'I saw Alex Williamson yesterday but only for a general visit. It was the first time I knew him. I was in the building and I met him a little.
'We speak daily here about everyone's future, since it is that time of the year in which contracts and extensions must be made. The last two nails must be beaten in the coffin with respect to the academy of things. We are waiting for (the Scottish Rugby Performance Director) David Nucifora arrive and discuss this. There is a lot and everyone's name has emerged in these conversations.
Smith assumed the position of coach in Chief of Italy in a difficult period, but, similar to his work in Glasgow, he introduced several younger players in the configuration that since then they have become complete internationals during the recent Italian rebirth.
He did not reject the idea of ​​returning to an international role of Rugby, but revealed that his preference would be to work in a training field and not behind a desk.
“It is a dream to be involved in that rugby level,” he added. 'The Italian period was difficult because they were not prepared: they had no succession planning after 2019. I had to choose 13 children under 21 years in the six nations and that was brutal because a team cannot be built internationally.
'So that experience was not ideal, although it was a great experience. I learned many lessons and it is something that I would like to apply better in a different environment.
'I loved returning (to train with Glasgow) of the role of performance director. I really enjoyed that for a great period, but I was away from the game on a day -to -day basis and lost it in the field. That's why I returned to training.
'I think I have gained a lot of experience in the joint room, the structural part and the structure configuration around the development program and the roads.
'I loved it, but it reaches a political and financial barrier with which I, as a coach, frustrated. Therefore, I returned to training and I am very grateful for the opportunity here in Glasgow.
“The side of the training of things, seeing players develop and see how they become better people and better men through the rugby game is what lifts me in the morning.”
Kick off: Sunday 2pm, Rodney Parade.
TV: Live in Premier Sports 2.
Referee: Peter Martin (IRFU).