Italy confirm Franco Smith as full-time head coach

The Italian rugby federation (FIR) has announced that interim boss Franco Smith is now the Azzurri head coach on a permanent basis.

Smith, who took over the international reins from Conor O’Shea last November, is a former coach of the Cheetahs in South Africa and Treviso from Italy. He was also assistant coach for the Springboks in 2017, working under Allister Coetzee.

The 47-year-old’s appointment was confirmed alongside Marius Goosen (assistant coach), with Giampiero De Carli (forwards coach), Alessandro Troncon (backs coach) and Quintin Kruger and Giovanni Sanguin (physical preparation).

It is believed Smith’s contract will run until after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with the Azzurri desperately needing to find some momentum after losing their three games in Six Nations 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic halted the tournament.