Highly sought-after head coach the 'natural evolution' to replace Gregor Townsend at Scotland

Scotland are set to host France in the latest round of the Six Nations with the ambition of upsetting the odds to keep their title hopes alive.

Gregor Townsend’s side currently occupy second in the table, four points behind this weekend’s opponents.

A bonus point win could put the Scots top of the table going into the final weekend, when they will face Ireland, a team they have struggled against recently, as they have lost their last 11 Tests to them.

Two bonus point victories for Townsend’s men could win them their first-ever Six Nations title, with the country’s last championship coming in 1999 when it was the Five Nations.

However, despite Townsend and Scotland being on the cusp of history by securing either the Six Nations or the Triple Crown, which they have not won since 1990, in the next two weeks, rumours persist about the head coach leaving his position soon.

Scotland rugby

It has been suggested that he will become the Newcastle Red Bulls head coach after the World Cup in 2027, yet there is a feeling he could join sooner if Scotland have a poor end to their Six Nations campaign.

Jim Hamilton believes there is a perfect man waiting in the wings to assume the role of head coach of Scotland whenever Townsend decides to leave.

He said: “Gregor Townsend is definitely going to Newcastle, right? The hints have been squashed that he's working for them now, but it's been confirmed for 2027 that he's taken the role. And for me, Franco Smith is the next man in line to take over from Gregor.

“I didn't necessarily believe he was the right man a year ago; I hadn't seen enough, but having seen how well Glasgow are playing... Some of their performances, I mentioned the Toulouse one, were in tough games where Scottish teams of old would have rolled over and died. He has managed to bring together a group of young men who not only play a really good brand of rugby but also mentally are very tough and mentally resilient. So that job is Franco Smith’s, whether or not that is sooner rather than later.

Former Rugby Player Jim Hamilton presents on WR Studios prior to the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between South Africa and Ireland (Getty Images)

“I'd love to see Gregor see out his tenure. I think it's right that he's done that for what he's done for Scotland, but that will be on two results really for France. I don't think he loses his job now, but the pressure is definitely on. It was on, but the pressure is less on him now after that win against England and, more recently, the game against Wales.

“But Franco Smith, it's a natural evolution. He's one of the most sought-after coaches. Wales were interested in him; Leicester Tigers were interested in him. South African teams will also be interested in him. But it feels like the natural evolution, and I'm a big fan of him.”

Why Franco Smith is the perfect replacement for Gregor Townsend

Smith is incredibly experienced with the sport of rugby, having played internationally for South Africa while representing clubs like Treviso and the Bulls.

He would move into coaching in 2005 with the Cheetahs, beginning this career as an assistant before becoming head coach of Treviso in 2007 for six years.

Italy would appoint him as their head coach in 2019, and he would be in charge until 2021; however, this was a role he may not have enjoyed, as he lost every Test that he was in charge of with the Azzurri.

Following this disappointing spell, Smith would be appointed the head coach of the Glasgow Warriors in 2022, and he has built them into one of the most dangerous sides in Europe.

Glasgow Warriors' head coach Franco Smith during a United Rugby Championship match Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby (Getty Images)

Smith guided them to a URC title in 2024 and has continued building his side to be able to compete in Europe to win the Champions Cup, with this being a real prospect this season, as they are the second seeds for the knockouts, meaning they have a chance of becoming the first-ever Scottish side to lift the trophy.

It is this success he has had with the Scottish club and the work he has done with their internationals that has put him in prime position to replace Townsend, an individual who was head coach of Glasgow before his appointment, and his experience at Test level, albeit it was not a successful stint in charge of Italy.