Smith offered England backs role

London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith has been offered the job of England backs coach.

The BBC understands Smith wants the job although he still has one year left on his contract with Irish, who he led to a Heineken Cup semi-final this year.

It is thought new England manager Martin Johnson is keen for Smith to be in place for the tour to New Zealand.

But London Irish seem determined to hold on Smith, who is currently on holiday in his native Australia.

The Exiles' chairman Andrew Coppel said: "We are aware of Brian Smith's ambitions to further his career at international level at some point in the future.

"However, he is contracted to London Irish for another year and our intention is that the contract will be honoured.

"Two weeks ago the club received an official approach about Brian Smith from the Rugby Football Union, verbally through its director of elite rugby (Rob Andrew).

"The club's board considered the request and rejected it.

"Under various codes of conduct governing both the RFU and clubs, any approach to a player or coach who has more than six months remaining on his contract is expressly forbidden unless the club concerned gives its consent.

"London Irish has given no such consent to the RFU with regard to Brian Smith."

Smith, who has coached Irish for the past three seasons, previously coached at ACT Brumbies, NSW Waratahs, Bath and the Ricoh club in Japan.

As a player he represented both Australia and Ireland, as well as playing for Leicester Tigers, Oxford University, Queensland Reds and Balmain Tigers in rugby league.

If he were to leave the Exiles, his departure could present an opportunity for current backs coach Mike Catt and forwards coach Toby Booth to take more senior roles.

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