Smith can’t bear England job
GEORGE SMITH has ruled out any prospect of a part-time coaching role with England after returning to the country to play for Bristol.
The Australian, who will be with the Bears until January, helped his former coach Eddie Jones working as a breakdown specialist when he was with Wasps in 2016.
But there will be no repeat as Smith has nailed his colours to his native green and gold, for whom he won 111 caps.
“It wouldn’t be right for me to do that because I would be in the English camp and last year I was in the Wallabies camp,” said Smith.
“Morally, I wouldn’t do it just because I have seen the inner sanctum of both camps. I would not put myself in that position.” Instead, the veteran flanker will concentrate on trying to help Bristol stay in the Premiership after their promotion to the top flight last season.
He arrives from a stint with the Queensland Reds, whom he joined after being sacked by Japanese club Suntory following a New Year’s Eve incident with a taxi driver that led to him spending 20 days in prison before being released without charge. “I have learnt a lot from that, but there was no case to be answered, no conviction and no legal ramifications,” said Smith.
“I was happy to let it be and continue my career elsewhere.
“I can’t hide the fact that I’m 38 years old but I still know that I can compete with players and I wouldn’t have signed this contract if I didn’t know that. The easiest thing for me to do would have been to go back to Japan or go back to Super Rugby because that would have made me comfortable.
“This is making me uncomfortable being in the Gallagher Premiership, but if I’m not uncomfortable I’m not ready to go.”