ENGLAND

Smith keen on England role

Wednesday 25th June 2008

Time is right: Smith looking to take his chance

London Irish boss Brian Smith has admitted that he would grab an England job with both hands if it came in his direction.

The Exiles' Director of Rugby has been mooted as national Team Manager Martin Johnson's first backs and attack coach.

And it seems that the former has his heart set on linking up with England, if it is right for the 2007/08 Heineken Cup semi-finalists.

"I've made my feelings clear to the board and our new chairman, Andrew Coppel," he said, speaking to BBC Radio Berkshire.

"Once or twice in your career you have the chance to work with a national team at a World Cup."

"Things are being sorted out. It's got to be right for the club. If I am to move on, it has to be win-win for everyone.

"I've been very happy at London Irish for the three seasons I've been involved and I'd be happy to stay here for life, but occasionally a big opportunity comes up and when it does you're forced to make a decision.

"A guy I know well, Ewen McKenzie, had the chance to coach Australia.

"He knocked it back and within eighteen months he's been sacked from his Waratahs position and that chance may never come his way again.

"I've looked at that and provided it's a win situation for London Irish, because that's where my heart and soul is, then perhaps it's something the club feels it can release me to do, but that's not my decision."

Since joining the Madejski Stadium side in 2005, Smith has instilled a brand of rugby that saw them almost outwit European giants Toulouse at the home of English rugby.

And the 41-year-old revealed that if he were to move to HQ permanently, it would be difficult to say goodbye to club life.

"I would be happy to stay because I think we've got a great future here and we've worked very hard," he said.

"There's been a lot of blood, sweat and tears from players and coaches to get the club into the position where they are.

"I'm also mindful of the fact that we have good people with ambition here as well. We've got Toby Booth and Mike Catt in the organisation and at some point they're going to want to progress.

"I've been conscious of that ever since I've been involved with the club, that we're in the position to promote from within and that there's a succession planned.

"If the club can do well out of this, if they can promote from within and advance the careers of Toby Booth and Mike Catt, if the directors support that, then it's something I'd really like to do."