Smith named Head Coach for Celtic Challenge

Former Scotland front-rower Lindsey Smith has been appointed as Head Coach of Glasgow Warriors for the upcoming Celtic Challenge, as preparations continue for the club’s return to action.

The Inverness-born international will take charge of the Scotstoun outfit for their second campaign in the competition, having previously served as assistant coach to Chris Laidlaw – now at Harlequins – in the 2023/24 season.

Following an international break, we’re back in action on Friday 29 November 🙌

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Having earned 42 caps for Scotland in the front-row after making her debut against Spain in 2011, Smith takes on the role after previously serving as a Performance Development Coach for Scottish Rugby’s Regional Training Centre in Glasgow and the west, working with some of the region’s most talented young prospects.

The former Hillhead Jordanhill prop also used to work as Community Manager for Glasgow Warriors, in addition to representing her country at U18 and A level.

Since hanging up her playing boots, Smith has established herself as one of Scotland’s brightest up-and-coming coaches, serving as assistant coach to the Scottish Futures squad for two seasons in addition to working as part of Laidlaw’s team at Scotstoun last season.

She currently serves as Scotland U18 Head Coach, having made the progression from assistant coach in the summer of 2024.

Smith’s full coaching team and playing group will be confirmed in due course, along with the Celtic Challenge fixture details for the 2024/25 season.

“I’m really proud to be taking charge of this group, and representing Glasgow Warriors,” Smith told glasgowwarriors.org.

“To have the opportunity to be involved in coaching our first-ever women’s squad last season was something I’ll never forget, and to have the chance to step up to the Head Coach role is a massive honour. It’s a really exciting chance to build the programme here at Scotstoun and I can’t wait to get started.

“Last year taught me a lot about not only my own coaching, but also being a part of a multi-discipline team – from your assistants, right the way through to the backroom team. I absolutely love the back-to-back game week scenario that a competition like the Celtic Challenge provides, and we learned a lot about ourselves in terms of the levels of focus and intensity that competing at this level requires.

“Working with the Regional Training Centre definitely provides me with a clear understanding of the players within the area, which allows me to hit the ground running and help to build sessions and an environment in which the players will thrive and develop. Ultimately, our job as coaches is to develop these players, and help them take the next step as they look to push towards national honours.

“The Celtic Challenge has been huge for us, because it gives these young players a tangible next step – they can see the target in their eye-line, and that’s massive. Young players I’ve worked with can see that representing Glasgow Warriors is an achievable goal, and you can tell how much they want to be a part of this competition.

“Success for me looks like players having the ability to compete consistently at this level, and being ready and confident in their ability to perform. There’s a big educational piece around making these players ready to step up, so having the chance to be challenged against squads from Ireland and Wales packed with capped internationals will be invaluable for them.

“I’m excited to get started, and help to write the next chapter in this team’s history for Glasgow Warriors.”

The Head Coach roles for Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby in the Celtic Challenge are both funded by Royal London’s Level the Playing Field programme, enabled by the British and Irish Lions.