Wasps to allow George Smith to assist England
Tuesday 19 January 2016 16:57, UK
Wasps will let former Australia flanker George Smith help coach the England team provided it does not get in the way of his club duties.
New England boss Eddie Jones coached Smith when he was Wallabies coach and has confirmed he is keen to bring the Wasps veteran into the England fold.
Smith is wanted for his expertise at the breakdown - a problem area for England during the World Cup.
He told the Daily Mail he would be interested: "If he (Jones) does come calling, I would definitely listen to him because he's a person who I do regard highly," he said.
Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young says the Aviva Premiership club will not stand in his way.
"I wouldn't stand in his way. I know that Eddie has a relationship with George going back a long way," he said.
"We are here to support England and their management and if we can help, we will. If George could be of assistance - rather than being an assistant - helping the national team do well, and it doesn't affect what we are doing, then I've got no problem with it."
Chris Robshaw played at No 7 during the World Cup but Jones says he sees the Harlequins flanker as a blindside.
Smith's Wasps team-mate James Haskell is a contender to start in the problem position of openside flanker, along with Matt Kvesic of Gloucester and Jack Clifford of Harlequins.
Young says all three would benefit from Smith's influence.
"You don't have 111 caps by accident - in a position where Australia are famous for producing world-class players," he said.
"He is humble so he's not going to push himself forward, but his contact-area skills are phenomenal, he knows the game inside-out and knows the short-cuts you need to know.
"James [Haskell] always wants to learn and he has been like a sponge around George, soaking up everything, like all our players.
"That was half the point bringing George here. On the field itself, but off it too, to pass on tips to others; how to behave as a professional, what kind of work you need to put in, not just to be the best at Wasps, or the best in the country, but also the best in the world. George has fulfilled that role for us."
