Franco Smith backs Dan Lancaster to start URC quarter-final against his father's Connacht

Franco Smith has no concerns that Stuart Lancaster holds an unfair advantage heading into Friday’s United Rugby Championship quarter-final, naming the Connacht head coach’s son Dan at fly-half for Glasgow’s home tie against his father’s side.

Dan Lancaster, 25, spent the 2024-25 season working under Stuart at Racing 92 before the former England head coach’s 18-month stint in Paris was ended by the French club. Stuart Lancaster said earlier this week that he had effectively coached his son “since he was six years old” and that the pair had agreed to suspend their regular conversations about Dan’s game for one week until after the quarter-final.

Smith, who has previously coached against his own sons — Franco Jr at Zebre and Jean Smith, who made his debut for the Sharks against Glasgow earlier this season — said he had spoken to Lancaster Sr about the situation as soon as the quarter-final permutations became clear.

“Well of course, one would think so,” Smith said when asked whether Stuart might have an advantage in knowing his son’s game so well. “But he’s been in our environment long enough for them not to have worked together for a bit. So that’s got nothing to do with the decision. I think it was dealt with early in the conversation two weeks ago already. I think both him and Stuart are quite mature in this environment.”

Smith added that there had been no sign of any unusual emotion from the fly-half during the build-up. “Dan is on a journey, he still needs to grow and develop and improve a lot in a lot of aspects and he’s good for that, he’s focused on what he needs to contribute, not just what’s expected.”

Lancaster Jr was largely used as a replacement in the first half of this season, starting just two of his first 11 games after joining Glasgow. That trend has reversed sharply since early January, with 10 of his last 11 appearances coming in the No.10 jersey, including five of Glasgow’s last six matches.

With Adam Hastings returning from a two-game suspension but short of match practice after not featuring since Glasgow’s trip to face the Stormers on 25 April, Smith opted for continuity, naming the same backline for a third consecutive game.

“The decision was around the continuity factor, and with Adam not having played since South Africa, there was no need to go off script at the moment,” Smith said.