Franco Smith is under no illusions which clubs dominate the sporting landscape in Scotland but he hopes Glasgow Warriors’ move to Hampden can increase their exposure.

Glasgow have moved their 1872 Cup fixture against Edinburgh from their usual fortress of Scotstoun to the home of Scottish football at Hampden in a bid to attract new fans. The first ever Warriors fixture at Hampden will take place on Sunday, December 22 - one weekend on from a potential Scottish League Cup final between Celtic and Rangers.

The Glasgow giants are the leading sporting clubs in Scotland but Smith believes the Warriors deserve more recognition, especially after being crowned URC Champions last season.

“I think rugby in this city can make a huge impact and a huge difference from what I've seen,” insisted Smith. “The amount of people that stop in the street now that show an interest. I know that Celtic and Rangers traditionally dominate everything. But it would be good if the Glasgow Warriors could be acknowledged amongst the rest of the city and the public as well. I hope that we know we're competing with football, we're competing with football fans. I hope more people come and see what we're doing. We win a lot of games and maybe we have more support there, but there's not enough space.

“That we'll see now. We'll have a better idea of what needs to be done at Scotstoun. The club will have a better idea of what needs to be done at Scotstoun. If we can see what the turnout is here, if it's that much more, then obviously some serious consideration. I think I've not been here long enough to really understand the mainstay of this for the club. But what I've heard and what I understand from the players and everybody that's involved with the club over the years, is that this can be a landmark opportunity. It can be a marker to lay down and say, this is the real interest Glasgow is showing into our club and into our game. Then we can grow the sport even more, we can invest even more in that.”

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Glasgow are undefeated at Scotstoun in the regular season since 2021 and they regularly sell out for home fixtures. Although temporary stands can be erected for major fixtures, Scotsoun’s capacity is limited to around 7,000 but it’s understood there could be plans for redevelopment in conjunction with Glasgow being announced as the host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. When asked about potential redevelopment in line with the Commonwealth Games, Smith responded: “We're going away from scrums and line-out! It's a little bit off my radar. But yes, I definitely think if there's any chance, the commercial team will be on it.

“I think Scotstoun is still important. But I do think that some investment can lead to developing the stands and the facility even better. It's a fantastic place. We're very happy there and we really enjoy it. I personally enjoy working there every day. But if the demand is that big and people show that with their feet, it will be so much easier for us to then say, there is interest and we should increase the amount of seating in Scotstoun.”

Smith has never attended a football fixture but the South African plans to attend Hampden before Glasgow’s date in December. Smith masterminded arguably the most famous win in Warriors’ in the URC final in June but he will take inspiration from legendary football managers when he leads out his men at Hampden.

“I follow football but I'm not so much of a dedicated fan,” he admitted. “If I miss a game or two, I'm not that distressed. I don't argue with the taxi driver when he tells me I must support another club! I watch enough football. I like the management side of it. I like the way that people do it differently. I always try to learn from that. Jürgen Klopp is the same type of faith that I believe in.

"The management players are the same way. I've learned a lot from the traditions of Alex Ferguson. I've understood that we think a lot the same about things. Sometimes you don't even have to learn. It also underlines the way you see things. Just to name a few. Jose Mourinho, I've followed him quite a bit because of his success. Why doesn't success follow you necessarily? It follows you, but up to a point. What do you have to do to regain that?”