Ex-All Black named as new Italy coach to replace South African Franco Smith

Italy have named former New Zealand international Kieran Crowley as their national team rugby coach, replacing South African Franco Smith.

Crowley has been coach at Italian club Benetton since 2016. He coached at international level with Canada from 2008-16.

Smith, who took charge after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, will move into a new role as the head of high performance in Italian rugby.

"In the five years with Benetton Rugby, I've been able to learn and understand the country and its rugby culture, an understanding which I cannot wait to develop as head coach of the national team," Crowley said.

Crowley won the World Cup as a player with the All Blacks in 1987.

Italy are coming off a sixth straight last-place finish in the Six Nations, igniting the debate over whether the Azzurri deserve their guaranteed place in the competition.