RUGBY:ENGLAND HAVE confirmed the appointment of Brian Smith as their attack coach with immediate effect. Smith joins the management team led by Martin Johnson after the Rugby Football Union were able to negotiate his release from London Irish.
The Exiles director of rugby, born in Australia, will work alongside defensive mastermind Mike Ford and forwards coach John Wells.
Johnson said: "The appointment of Brian is great news for England as we look forward to the increased time we have with the players under the new agreement with Premier Rugby.
"Brian is a top attack coach and I'm sure he will be a real asset to us. His appointment finalises the senior coaching team for next season."
Smith, a dual international for Australia and Ireland, is viewed as a visionary coach who has the ideas and drive to inspire the improvement required.
His track record at London Irish, who he guided to the Heineken European Cup semi-finals last season, is superb.
The Exiles are one of the English Premiership's most entertaining sides and it is hoped Smith will be able to translate his attacking philosophy from club to Test level.
Smith said: "The opportunity to coach Test rugby comes along rarely in one's career so I'm looking forward to my new position with England.
"It's an exciting time to be involved. I would like to thank London Irish for the opportunity the club has given me."
Smith, who won nine caps for Ireland between 1989 and 1991, arrived at the Madejski Stadium in 2005, guiding the club to third place in the Premiership and a European Challenge Cup final during his first season in charge. But those achievements were surpassed last season when Irish stormed into the last four of the European Cup, where they were edged by Toulouse.
Meanwhile, Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill has warned the game risks being split in half and played under separate rules if Northern Hemisphere countries refuse to embrace the Experimental Law Variations.
O'Neill is furious that his counterparts in England, Ireland and Wales have rejected plans to trial the ELVs. The ARU boss did not rule out the code being played under two different sets of rules if an agreement cannot be reached.
"You'd hate to think we'd end up in a situation of two games (but) it could happen," O'Neill said.
The ARU are considering bidding for the 2019 World Cup despite the massive asking price to host the tournament.
The International Rugby Board have slapped a €150 million fee on the event, reducing the chances of smaller nations entering the hosting race.
The IRB are also asking for bidders for the 2015 World Cup, but it is the 2019 tournament O'Neill has his eye on.
Australia co-hosted the inaugural tournament with New Zealand in 1987 and went it alone in 2003. The ARU have until August 15th to officially express their interest.
"Clearly, we have an interest in potentially bidding for 2019," O'Neill said. "We'll go through an assessment process taking into consideration all the pros and cons of another tilt at hosting a World Cup."
