Latest news with #FrancoSmith
Times
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Times
Horrible manner of loss to Leinster will haunt Glasgow over summer
Glasgow's URC title defence was always likely to come to a shuddering halt at a venue where no Scottish side — club or international — has won in the 15 years since it became the Aviva Stadium. But for the crown to be ripped from their heads in such unseemly fashion was an experience that will haunt Franco Smith's players over what now promises to be a long and regret-filled summer. The Warriors were battered; literally, figuratively and emotionally. Pummelled up front and with little else to commend them elsewhere across the field, for the most part the Scots were every bit as bad as had been the case in their 52-0 Champions Cup defeat on the same pitch eight weeks ago. Two tries in the last eight minutes added some sheen to the scoreline, but cannot paper over any cracks in this wobbly Warriors edifice. Leinster broke through seemingly at will, in between dismantling the Glasgow scrum and otherwise dominating the physical stakes to an almost embarrassing degree. Ryan Baird was named man of the match but the award could easily have gone to about ten other boys in blue. Smith was putting a brave face on it at the finish, urging us to see the bigger picture of a campaign in which a ludicrous quantity of big-name injuries had opened up opportunities for new faces to shine. 'I don't want to make excuses because I definitely felt the team that we named tonight could have won the game,' the South African said. 'So, yes, it would have been good to have had some of those boys back, but I backed the team that we picked. I backed the depth and the growth of the club that we've seen, with more players becoming eligible for Scotland and putting their hands up to play at this level this whole season. 'Numerous people have grown. That is the progression. There are six or seven boys who played in last year's final who weren't available here, that's true, but I'm more proud of the evolution and the growth. So there is a positive to be taken from this. [Leinster are] still a world-class team, nothing's changed. So if we were going to lose the URC Championship title, I'd rather it was against them than anybody else. That said, we're a proud team. I thought we gave it everything. I see this holistically, not just in terms of this game. We defended our title bravely but today we fell short.' On an afternoon when the Dublin weather ran through all the seasons, torrential rain showers being broken up by spells of sunshine then lashings of hail, the game itself was disappointingly one-note. A no-contest that had promised so much more, not least because a still underpowered Glasgow were blessed with several of the key cattle who had missed the European mauling. If the first half of that match had been a real shock-and-awe job from Leinster, the opening period here was much more of an ongoing asphyxiation as the hosts seized control quite literally from kick-off and only tightened their grip thereafter. Bar the exquisite breakaway which led to the George Horne try, Glasgow had so little territory that they were in danger of being declared another San Marino. For almost the entirety of those initial 40 minutes, they found themselves hopelessly pinned by a combination of Leinster excellence and their own inadequacies. The Warriors scrum was a walking — or, rather, back-pedalling — disaster. The recent loss of Zander Fagerson has been grievous, and here Fin Richardson fared exactly as you might expect a club's fifth-choice tight-head prop to when up against a British & Irish Lion in Andrew Porter. All over the park, and in pretty much every phase of the game, Glasgow had no answer to Leinster's power plays, and they further undermined their efforts by trying to force things when they did enjoy some ball in the middle third. Smith's men were error-strewn and ill-disciplined, with even such consistently refined performers as Horne, Sione Tuipulotu and Henco Venter guilty of their own costly imprecisions. A 20-point interval deficit might have been so much bigger: Sam Prendergast had missed three of his four conversion attempts while Leinster had also seen two tries disallowed. Glasgow's way back was already not so much uphill as non-existent. Smith tried shuffling his pack, making six substitutions between the 40th and 51st minutes. These alterations included an all-new front row and Stafford McDowall replacing Adam Hastings so that Tom Jordan could move to fly half and Tuipulotu to inside centre, but with Glasgow still living off painfully pathetic possession rations, everything and nothing changed. There was also no encouragement for the visitors to draw from some of the figures making their way off the Leinster bench: the likes of RG Snyman, Rabah Slimani, Ronan Kelleher and Max Deegan do not tend to weaken a side, never mind one which has already established such a degree of physical dominance. Truth be told, Leo Cullen's men were bossing it in every facet: the technical, the tactical, the aerial, even the attitudinal. When Jamie Dobie crossed to reduce the arrears to 25 points, there was barely a flicker of emotion from anyone concerned. This was Dobie's 24th birthday, but he, like everyone else of a Warriors persuasion, will remember it not for the blowing out of candles but the snuffing out of a dream.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
We want Gregor to stay on, says Scottish Rugby chief as he backs Townsend despite disappointing Six Nations... and having highly-rated Franco Smith waiting in the wings
Scottish Rugby chief executive Alex Williamson claims Gregor Townsend is still the man to lead Scotland forward. Townsend's contract as head coach expires next spring, with the former fly-half saying at the weekend that talks have yet to begin over a possible extension. Williamson, though, wants Townsend to stay on despite this season's disappointing Six Nations campaign and plans on sitting down with him during the summer tour to New Zealand and Fiji to discuss the details. And the former House of Fraser CEO is also eager for Franco Smith - who many thought was set to replace Townsend next year - and Sean Everitt to also continue as Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh head coaches, respectively, beyond their current tenure. Whether that appeals to Smith remains to be seen, with the ambitious coach having been linked with some top jobs of late. Townsend's deal is up next year and it was thought he could move upstairs at Murrayfield Williamson also revealed that David Nucifora won't be extending his stint as performance director beyond the initial two-year agreement. And he wants whoever comes in to succeed the Australian to arrive at a scenario where there is stability among the key coaching staff. He said: 'We know that David is going in a relatively short time frame from now, some time towards the end of next year. 'So, the key hire is going to be a performance director who is willing to stick to the plan. 'We cannot afford to bring a performance director in who's then going to basically say 'I don't really like that plan we'll do another one'. We can't do that. 'So, off the back of that we absolutely want continuity with the coaches and we really like the three guys we've got and we'd really like to keep them. 'I haven't actually given that any thought [to either Townsend or Smith succeeding Nucifora]. I think that those three men's coaches, I anticipate them being our coaching team. That's my preference, in the same roles as now. 'I'm touring with Scotland and I'm going to have plenty of time with Gregor [to hold discussions]. His manager is in New Zealand as well so that's all helpful. And we're talking to Franco and Sean as well. 'Because I haven't had the conversation with [Townsend] I really want to recognize there's a two-way flow here but we really like the idea of the continuity of the three guys here. 'When we identify a new performance director we would really like to have continuity in the coaching already nailed down so that the first thing they're not doing is hiring new coaches.' That news will come as a disappointment to some supporters who had hoped for a change at the top after eight years of Townsend. But Williamson believes the former Glasgow boss is still the right man to lead the country to the next World Cup and beyond. 'I think that we'd all accept that there were a number of games last season whether it be South Africa, England or France, where Scotland were one very small twist away from some great outcomes off the back of some exceptional rugby. 'And also the feedback from the players through the review that Gregor does was very good. 'I genuinely believe that he has the potential to produce our best outcomes going forward so that's why we're excited to have Gregor remain on the team. And we also really think that Franco and Sean will continue to develop the quality of our player groups through the clubs.' Smith expressed his frustration recently over the decision not to retain some of his foreign players like Henco Venter in favour of a focus on Scottish-qualified talent but Williamson had no truck with that. 'When we're talking about Franco we absolutely want him in. In fact I fully respect his emotional frustrations. You kind of want your coaches to be loaded and charged and emotional and frustrated, particularly in moments like those, but I don't actually think there is a huge gap between what Franco wants and what we're talking about. 'The challenge is probably that the structures aren't bedded in and as a consequence we've not really had the opportunity to test and stress test the thinking. We all believe that there is a place for foreign players, they just have to be the right ones in the right moments.'
BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
SRU chief anticipates 'positive' talks with Townsend
Scottish Rugby chief executive Alex Williamson expects to have "really positive" conversations with Gregor Townsend about his future and "would be amazed" if the Scotland head coach did not want a crack at a third World an interview with BBC Scotland, Williamson said he was keen to retain the services of the three coaches currently in the top jobs in men's rugby in Scotland – Townsend, Franco Smith at Glasgow Warriors and his Edinburgh counterpart Sean Everett. All three have deals that currently run to is also looking to identify a successor to performance director David Nucifora, who is expected to leave the role at the end of his contract next year. 'Sense of continuity important' Townsend has been leading Scotland since 2017 and despite undoubtedly elevating the level of the national team during his tenure and delivering a number of impressive results against some of the world's best sides, he has failed to mount a meaningful challenge for Scots have never finished higher than third in the Six Nations on Townsend's watch and suffered group stage exits at the 2019 and 2023 World however, believes Townsend has the desire to go to a third World Cup and indicated he would be happy for the former Glasgow coach to remain in post for the tournament in Australia in 2027."I am going on the summer tour so we are going to have plenty of time to have conversations and it is consistent that sense of having continuity is going to be important for us."I thought we saw a lot in the autumn and then going through the Six Nations. If we cast our minds back to Australia and South Africa, if we think about the way that we played, in particular against England and France, I think that we were tiny differences away from wins in very big games and I think that we should be excited about that."The feedback from the players continues to be really strong in terms of the quality of the camp and the coaching and I think we should be optimistic for the way that the men's national team can perform going into this very challenging summer tour and then into the autumn."I think that the conversations with Gregor are going to be really positive." 'I really hope Franco will be staying' Smith has been a resounding success since taking over at Glasgow in led the club to the European Challenge Cup final in his first season, delivered an extraordinary United Rugby Championship title success in his second, and while injuries took a toll last season, Warriors still reached the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup and the last four in the has been linked with other jobs throughout the season - most notably the vacant Wales head coach position – and has done little to quell talk that he is seeking a fresh challenge."We really like all three coaches we have got on the men's side and we would really like to retain them," Williamson said."So those conversations are ones I am having now and will continue over the coming weeks. But when it comes to Franco specifically, he is a fantastic coach. He has done an absolutely incredible job and I really, really hope that he will be staying."I am actually delighted that he is getting approached and that people are talking about him as being a coach for other people because we want the best coaches in Scotland and it would be frankly pretty disappointing if no one was talking about someone as high quality as him."I think that we offer a consistency and a clarity of plan that he will be brilliant in and I am really hopeful that he will be with us."Smith is viewed by many as an obvious replacement for Townsend, but Williamson insists such succession planning has not been discussed."I don't think that we necessarily should be looking at our coaching group and saying that we are creating the bench if you like to replace gaps when they arise at any level," he said."I think that we just want to make sure in that moment that we recruit the person who is very best for that role."When we are thinking about how we create a pathway that is going to result in us being highly competitive in 2031 and 2035, or 2029 and 2033 for the ladies, we absolutely have to nail that in terms of the continuity around our coaching because that is what is going to breed confidence in our players."Having Franco here is an important part of that. But equally, I think Sean Everett has done a brilliant job at the back end of the season. I think he is very proud of the way that team grew and I am excited to see how he goes with a very young player group next year." New performance director must share Nucifora vision Nucifora was brought in last year to overhaul Scottish Rugby's performance department and pathway structures, having enjoyed great success in a similar role in Australian's deal runs to 2026 and Williamson does not envisage that contract being extended, though he believes Nucifora may retain some influence."David was brought in with a very specific remit to introduce a structure that was going to give us the best opportunity with what we have in Scotland to be highly competitive going into those World Cups I have already mentioned," he said."He and the rest of the senior team have been working like crazy on delivering to that structure and David isn't going to be the guy in two years' time breathing life into that structure on a daily basis, that is absolutely going to be someone else."I do anticipate that David would retain a role in making sure that we don't deviate too far off that path but from a distance, more in a sort of mentoring capacity."
Daily Mail
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Townsend reveals talks with Murrayfield chiefs... but his own future hasn't been discussed
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has revealed he's been in talks with his Murrayfield superiors over the last few months — but insists his own future hasn't been on the agenda. Townsend's contract is due to expire after next year's Six Nations, with Glasgow Warriors boss Franco Smith strongly fancied to succeed him. Townsend, who will lead the squad to New Zealand and Fiji next month, sat down recently with Scottish Rugby's performance director David Nucifora and chief executive Alex Williamson — but he insists whether he will continue in charge beyond 2026 wasn't one of the talking points. At a time when Nucifora has been implementing massive cuts across the academy system and women's game as part of Scottish Rugby's new 'pathway system', Townsend has said that he doesn't expect there to be any movement on his own future until at least after the summer tour — and possibly even later in the year around the November Tests. Townsend said: 'I've had conversations with both David and Alex about the future but not necessarily my future. 'Just about where the team is going and reviewing the Six Nations. But we've also been looking at areas that we might have to strengthen or bring more players through. 'They're normal those conversations — but nothing about my own situation. 'My contract is up after the Six Nations. So, I'd imagine those conversations will start as we get closer to November or after the summer tour.' Murrayfield bosses came under fire this week after age-grade teams were officially informed that their number of academy players would be cut in half. That was followed by claims that the 38-player women's training squad would be trimmed to just 15 contracted members after this summer's Women's Rugby World Cup. Sources close to Scottish Rugby claim to have been left in the dark over the streamlined proposals, and some of those affected have accused Nucifora of showing 'disrespect' and a 'lack of care' while working in a largely remote capacity from his home in Australia. Meanwhile, Townsend and his staff have spent the last few months picking over the bones of another disappointing Six Nations campaign where Scotland won just twice to finish fourth. But he doesn't believe significant change is needed. He added: 'We've reflected a lot on our performance, we've had learnings. 'Pete Horne was out in New Zealand for three weeks and I was out in Australia for a week. 'So, it's a good period to not just focus on your own game but how you can add from other experiences. 'You split the Six Nations into the first two games and the last three games. 'The most relevant game is the last one you played, which I thought was a really positive performance in Paris. And it gives me a lot of optimism of what our team can do when we go up against a big side. 'There's a lot to build on from that game and the England game but there are other areas where we have to improve. 'We know we have to take our opportunities. But there's nothing when we reflected where we thought, 'We really need to change this', or 'This is a big part of the game that we're struggling with'. 'I think the forwards in particular showed what they can deliver this year. So that gives us a lot of encouragement for the future.'
STV News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Rory Darge signs new deal to extend stay at Warriors until 2028
Scotland international Rory Darge has signed a new deal with Glasgow Warriors. The 25-year-old has extended his stay at Scotstoun until 2028 by putting pen to paper on a three-year contract. Darge was named Scotland captain for the upcoming Pacific Tour earlier this week and has become one of European rugby's most consistent performers in the last few seasons. Since joining the Warriors in 2021 he has established himself as a fixture in the back row of Franco Smith and Gregor Townsend's teams. His performances earned him a hat-trick of accolades at the end of his first full season at Scotstoun, taking home the Player of the Season, Players' Player of the Season, and Test Player of the Season prizes at the club's annual awards dinner. The North Berwick RFC product has made 67 appearances for the Warriors to date, including playing an integral role in the club's run to the 2023/24 BKT United Rugby Championship title. Darge made 14 appearances across the title-winning campaign, including starting at openside in all three playoff matches to help his side lift the trophy at Loftus Versfeld last June. He was also an ever-present for Scotland at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, featuring in all four of his nation's matches. He then served as co-captain alongside Finn Russell for the 2024 Six Nations campaign. After the new deal was announced on Friday, he said: 'It was fairly straightforward, really. 'I love my time in Glasgow and the club is the best place for me to be just now – I'm loving my rugby and this is the best possible place for me to keep developing. 'The competition at Scotstoun is something that's definitely played a role in continuing to develop me, particularly this season with how well the young guys that came in and played. Everyone that came in took their opportunity really well, which is a testament to this environment and the coaching that we get, and that only bodes well for the future of this club. 'I've really started to enjoy the leadership role over the last season or so, both for Scotland and for Glasgow – I've enjoyed being able to support Steyno [Kyle Steyn] on and off the field, and it's an exciting part of the game for me. 'I'm really looking forward to the next few years – we've got a great playing group building here, as well as a really strong coaching group. I'm excited to see what Scott [Forrest] and Roddy [Grant] will bring – Scott's been great since he came in last year, and I'm looking forward to working with Roddy, who was someone I grew up watching and looking to emulate. It's an exciting time to be a Warrior and I'm looking forward to being a part of it.' Head coach Franco Smith added: 'Rory has developed into one of the best in his position in Europe, and we still believe that he is only scratching the surface of his potential. 'His work in both attack and defence makes him an invaluable asset for both club and country; his statistics speak for themselves and only serve to underline his quality. 'He has developed into a leader within our environment over the last few seasons, and being named as Scotland captain is a well-deserved reflection of this development. 'He is someone who embodies what it means to be a Warrior, and we look forward to continuing to work with him over the coming seasons.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
