Franco Smith (rugby union, born 2000)

Franco Smith

Birth name	Petrus François Smith
Date of birth	(2000-05-03) 3 May 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth	Newport, Wales
Height	1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Weight	96 kg (15.1 st; 212 lb)
Notable relative(s)	Franco Smith (father)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre Current team Cheetahs 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) 2024– Cheetahs () Correct as of 18 Dec 2022

Franco Smith (born 3 May 2000) is a Welsh-born South African rugby union player, currently playing for European Rugby Challenge Cup side Cheetahs. His preferred position is centre. ^{[1] [2]} He is the son of former Springbok player and Glasgow Warriors 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]}

References

1. "Franco Smith". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
2. "Franco Smith". Cheetahs Rugby.
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.