Milan (AFP)
Interim coach of the XV of Italy, the South African Franco Smith has been extended at the head of the Azzurri, announced the Italian Rugby Federation on Saturday (FIR).
"The federal council confirms Franco Smith at the head of the Azzurri," the FIR tweeted on Saturday without giving further details.
Smith, 47, short-lived assistant coach of the Springboks under the leadership of Allister Coetzee in 2017, took control of the Nazionale after the resignation of Conor O'Shea in November after the World Cup in Japan , completed in the group stage for Italy.
The duration of Smith's new contract with the FIR was not disclosed by the latter but it would extend until the 2023 World Cup in France, according to the Italian press.
"A press conference dedicated to the appointment of technical staff for the senior men's national team will be convened, by videoconference, in the week from June 1 to 5," the Federation simply said in a statement.
Franco Smith, who coached the Italian club Treviso for six years (2007-2013), lost his three matches at the head of the Italian XV before the suspension of the Six Nations Tournament due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Crushed 42-0 by Wales in Cardiff, the Italians lost again in France (35-22) then against Scotland in Rome (17-0).
Before his experience as head of the Azzurri family, Smith headed the South African Cheetah franchise from 2015 to 2019.
© 2020 AFP