Brian Smith (rugby)

Brian Smith born 9 September, 1966 in St George, New South Wales, Australia is the former Director of Rugby at London Irish in the Guinness Premiership. He is a former rugby union and rugby league player. He is now the new attacks coach for England under Martin Johnson.

Smith is a former Ireland international, gaining 9 caps in the halves between 1989 and 1991.cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/london_irish/7307503.stm|title=Smith plays down Ireland job link|publisher=BBC|date=2008-03-20|accessdate=2008-05-13] He had previously been capped 6 times by Australia in 1987.cite web|url=http://aru.rugby.com.au/news/2002_july/bath_expected_to_sign_brian_smith_14327,6390.html|title=BATH EXPECTED TO SIGN BRIAN SMITH|publisher=ARU|date=2002-06-18|accessdate=2008-05-13] .

As a player he played rugby union for the Queensland Reds.cite web|url=http://www.bathrugby.com/4007_1377.php|title=Bath Rugby Appoint Brian Smith|publisher=Bath Rugby|date=2002-08-13|accessdate=2008-05-13] Smith later played rugby league for Balmain Tigers and Eastern Suburbs in the NSWRL competition. He played mainly as a five-eighth and also as a halfback.cite web|url=http://www.irishabroad.com/news/irishpost/sport/endoflondonirish.asp|title=New director of rugby appointed|publisher=Irish abroad|date=2002-07-17|accessdate=2008-05-13]

He has coached at the Ricoh Rugby Club in Japan and was on the coaching staff at Bath Rugby, the youth setup in New South Wales and coaching co-ordinator at the ACT Brumbies. He has coached at representative level with the Australia Sevens side. He has also coached at the Eastern Suburbs rugby union side.cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2002/07/18/srbath18.xml|title=Bath confirm Smith signing|publisher=Telegraph|date=2002-07-17|accessdate=2008-05-13]

Smith was linked with the Ireland job as a replacement for Eddie O'Sullivan.cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/london_irish/7307503.stm|title=Smith plays down Ireland job link|publisher=BBC|date=2008-03-20|accessdate=2008-05-14] In July 2008 he was confirmed as England attack coach under Martin Johnson.cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/2376903/London-Irish-director-of-rugby-Brian-Smith-joins-Martin-Johnson%27s-England-set-up.html|title=London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith joins Martin Johnson's England set-up|publisher=Telegraph|date=2008-07-14|accessdate=2008-07-22]

References

External links

* [http://www.london-irish.com/Team/Rugby_Staff/ London Irish profile]
* [http://www.irishrugby.ie/227_7678.php?player=21975&includeref=dynamic Ireland profile]
* [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/players/Brian_Smith.html Rugby League Project stats]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=4711 Sportingheroes profile]
* [http://www.internationalrugbynews.co.uk/features/the-life-of-brian.html The life of Brian : International Rugby News]