As a player Franco Smith represented South Africa as well as playing for clubs in South Africa, Italy, France and Wales. He started his professional coaching career in 2006 with the South African team the Cheetahs. Then in 2008 he became Head Coach of Benneton in Italy, guiding them to 2 National Championships, a Coppa Italia and a Supercup. In 2015 he became Head Coach of the Cheetahs and lead them to two Currie Cup titles in 2016 and 2019. In 2019 he was appointed Head Coach of the Italian National Team, and then in 2022 was appointed Coach of the Glasgow Warriors. In his first year with them team he led them a top-four URC finish as well as guiding them to their first European final.