Former Australia and Ireland international Brian Smith dies aged 59

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Brian Smith, the former half-back who won international caps for Australia and Ireland before forging a successful coaching career, has died at the age of 59.

Smith featured in both rugby union and league during his playing career, winning five Wallabies caps in 1987 before switching allegiance to Ireland two years later.

Brian Smith won international caps for Australia and Ireland (Getty)

He spent three years as an assistant coach to Martin Johnson with England, overseeing their attack at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and also served as London Irish’s director of rugby across two stints.

Smith had most recently been head of sport at Scots College in Sydney.

“Brian had been very unwell in recent months and was battling an aggressive cancer,” Scots College principal Dr Ian PM Lambert wrote to the school community.

“This is very sad news for our College community and I know it will come as a shock to many of you who knew and worked closely with him.

“Our immediate thoughts are with Brian’s wife Lisa, his daughters Ruby and Santana, and his son Chilli.”

Smith was brought in by Johnson after the World Cup-winning captain’s appointment as England boss in 2008, and was a key lieutenant to the former lock.

He departed his role following a quarter-final exit from the 2011 tournament in New Zealand, a trip marred by off-field controversy.

Smith then returned to London Irish for three years having led the club during a period of success which included finishing third in the Premiership and reaching the final of the Challenge Cup.

Brian Smith spent two spells as London Irish's director of rugby — Brian Smith spent two spells as London Irish’s director of rugby (Getty)

Angus Bell, the Wallabies prop, paid tribute to a figure who had coached him as a teenager.

“I just wanted to touch on the passing of Brian Smith, Wallabies (cap number) 659,” Bell said on Wednesday.

“He was coaching at the Scots school and coached a lot of us coming through the grades. I was 16 and it is fair to say I wouldn’t have played anywhere near as good without him. Me, (Wallabies lock) Jeremy Williams and Will Harris from the Force were really close with him. He was a great bloke, a great father and a great coach. Very sad.”

“I just wanted to say it’s a really sad time, and we’re wishing the best for his wife and kids. He was an avid rugby person and helped a lot of individuals in the squad and in the Wallabies today. Just sending my condolences.”

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