Franco Smith has admitted he wants to return to international rugby amid speculation linking him to the Wales head coach job.

The Vodacom URC title-winning Glasgow Warriors boss, whose contract with Scottish Rugby expires next year, is seen as a strong candidate to replace Warren Gatland following Wales’ 14th consecutive Test defeat.

Smith has extensive international experience, having served as Italy head coach from 2019 to 2021. Before that, he was an assistant coach with the Springboks under Allister Coetzee in 2017 after first cutting his teeth with the Cheetahs and Treviso.

Speaking to Premier Sports, the 52-year-old Smith made no secret of his ambitions. “I would like to coach international rugby again,” he said. “I think most coaches dream of it. 

“For now, I’m focused on what needs to be done [with Glasgow], and we’ll see. You never know.”

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Asked again after Glasgow’s 45-20 win over Dragons on Sunday, he added: “I know there is a lot of talk, so I’ll leave it at that.”

Smith has ties to Wales, having played for Newport, where his son Franco Jr. was born. “There are good people here, and I was very well welcomed,” he recalled. “We had a fantastic time, and I have fond memories.”

Former Scotland international Ryan Wilson believes Smith would be an ideal fit for Wales, or even Scotland if Gregor Townsend’s position becomes vacant.

“Why wouldn’t you look at someone like Franco Smith?” Wilson said. “He laid the foundations for Italy, and they’re on the up. Then he came in and did wonders for Glasgow. That could be a real shout.”

Wilson has no doubt that Smith would relish an international opportunity. “I genuinely think it’s the sort of job he would love. He can put the foundations in place for a nation. Who doesn’t want to go to a World Cup?”

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