Franco Smith (rugby union, born 2000)

Franco Smith
Birth namePetrus François Smith
Date of birth (2000-05-03) 3 May 2000 (age 24)
Place of birthNewport, Wales
Height1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Weight96 kg (15.1 st; 212 lb)
Notable relative(s)Franco Smith (father)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Current team Zebre Parma
Youth career
2007−2013 Benetton
2013−2018 Grey College
2018−2020 Cheetahs
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2020–2021 Colorno 7 (5)
2021–2022 Benetton 0 (0)
2022 → Zebre Parma 3 (0)
2022–2024 Zebre Parma 20 (10)
Correct as of 18 Dec 2022

Franco Smith (born 3 May 2000) is a Welsh-born South African rugby union player, currently playing for United Rugby Championship side Zebre Parma. His preferred position is centre.[1][2] He is the son of former Springbok player and Italy coach Franco Smith, and Welsh and Italian qualified by birth and residency respectively.<

Smith was named Permit player for Benetton for the 2021–22 season.[3][4] He joined Zebre Parma on loan in May 2022.[5][6] He made his debut in the re-arranged Round 12 of the 2021–22 United Rugby Championship against Cardiff.[7] He played with Italian team Zebre Parma until 2023–24 season.[8][9]

  1. ^ "Franco Smith". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Franco Smith". Zebre Rugby. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  3. ^ "Dodici i permit players selezionati per la prossima stafione sportiva". Benetton Rugby. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  4. ^ "FRANCO SMITH JR SI UNISCE ALLE ZEBRE PER IL FINALE DI STAGIONE". Benetton Rugby. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  5. ^ "FRANCO SMITH JR SI AGGREGA ALLE ZEBRE RUGBY PER IL FINALE DI STAGIONE". Zebre. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  6. ^ "SMITH E VINTCENT VICINI ALL'ESORDIO CON LE ZEBRE E NELLO UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP". Zebre. 5 May 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  7. ^ "United Rugby Championship: Cardiff 42-14 Zebre". BBC Sport. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  8. ^ "JOEY CAPUTO E FRANCO SMITH JR AGGIUNGO QUALITÀ ALLA LINEA DEI TREQUARTI DELLE ZEBRE RUGBY". Zebre Rugby (in Italian). 27 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  9. ^ "LE ZEBRE SALUTANO NOVE ATLETI CHE LASCIANO IL CLUB". Zebre Parma. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.