Row breaks out over Exiles coach

London Irish Director of Rugby Brian Smith is believed to have been offered the job of England's back-line coach, with London Irish in stiff opposition.

London Irish Director of Rugby Brian Smith is believed to have been offered the job of England's back-line coach.

Reports from the BBC state that Smith is keen to take the job but has a year left on his existing contract with the Exiles, whom he guided to a first ever Heineken Cup semi-final this season.

New England Team Manager Martin Johnson wants Smith to be in place before England depart for their two-Test tour of New Zealand later this month.

However, Smith's club London Irish have no intention of releasing Smith from his contract at the moment, with Exiles Chairman Andrew Coppel issuing a strongly-worded statement on Wednesday.

“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 honoure,” it read..

“Two weeks ago the club received an official approach about Brian Smith from the Rugby Football Union (RFU), verbally through its Director of Elite Rugby. 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 is currently on holiday in his native Australia, has coached Irish for three seasons. His departure could present an opportunity for current backs coach Mike Catt and forwards coach Toby Booth to take a more senior role.

Smith 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.