Franco Smith has explained his decision to remain at the Glasgow Warriors, despite strong interest from clubs in England, Wales and South Africa.

The man who masterminded the Warriors’ Vodacom URC title triumph in 2023-24 has signed a new contract until 2028, saying his priority is to continue the journey he has started with the club.

“It was a compliment for me,” Smith said of the approaches he received. “I appreciated that people made contact. There were some very good opportunities, and they all make you think. But a contract offer doesn’t always make you look at what else is out there – it also makes you think about what you’ve got.

“We’ve put the ship on the water now from a club perspective. Maybe it’s good for me to stay a little bit longer on the boat. The decision was about continuing this journey, trying to leave the club in a better place than I found it. That was the main focus in the off-season.

“When the boys came back in for pre-season, they needed to know the future, whether I was leaving or staying. If they know I’m here, they know what the direction is. There’s a vision to keep growing the brand, and I feel I can still contribute to that and grow my own experience too.”

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Warriors flank Rory Darge, who was named Man of the Match in Friday’s 35-19 bonus-point win over the Sharks, said Smith’s decision gives the squad confidence.

“It’s great knowing Franco is staying on and that there’s continuity with the coaches,” said Darge. “The way he gives young guys opportunities means there’s competition in every position. The environment has been really positive, and him signing on helps with that.”

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Reflecting on the victory over the Sharks, Smith praised his team’s mindset.

“We wanted to be fast, we wanted to be first. I was happy with the way we solved problems, our physical application, and the outcomes at scrum time. Hopefully it’s a good base and we can kick on from this.”

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