Former Wallabies and Ireland player Brian Smith dies aged 59

The versatile back won six caps for Australia before switching to Ireland and playing nine Tests

After retirement, Brian Smith moved into coaching and worked as an assistant under England head coach Martin Johnson from 2008 to 2011. Pic: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Brian Smith, who represented Australia and Ireland at test level and was later attack coach for ​England, has died from cancer at the age ‌of 59.

A talented back who could play scrumhalf or flyhalf, Smith won six caps for the Wallabies in 1987, including ​at the first World Cup, before moving to ​Europe to study at Oxford and play nine ⁠Tests for Ireland.