Australia’s George Smith says end in sight to him helping out ‘old enemy’ England

Australia great George Smith has promised his compatriots his time assisting the ”old enemy” England is coming to an end.

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Wasps flanker George Smith gets the pass away despite being tackled by Toulon locks Jocelino Suta (bottom) and Thibault Lassalle during a European Champions Cup game in January. Australian Smith said his time assisting the England squad is nearing its end. Photos: AFP

Published: 10:45am, 22 Apr 2016Updated: 10:44am, 22 Apr 2016

Australia great George Smith has promised his compatriots his time assisting the ”old enemy” England is coming to an end.

The former Wallabies open-side flanker, set to appear for Wasps in their European Champions Cup semi-final against English rivals Saracens on Saturday, acted as a coaching consultant to compatriot Eddie Jones, his former Australia boss, during England’s victorious Six Nations grand slam campaign this season.

But the 35-year-old flanker, still an active player, has also been passing on his knowledge at club level where his team-mates include England back-row James Haskell and rising star Nathan Hughes.

Smith, who is set to re-join Japan’s Suntory Sungoliath on a two-year contract next season, will be in Australia when Jones takes England down under for a three-Test series against the Wallabies in June.

George Smith has tipped Wasps team-mate and number eight Nathan Hughes for future England stardom.

But he insisted he would not be a member of Jones’ England backroom staff for the tour.

“Yes I will be in Australia, visiting family as I’ve been away for a couple of years, but no I won’t be assisting the English team,” said Smith.

“I think they’d take my passport off me if I did!” added the loose forward, capped 111 times by his country and a member of the Australia side beaten by England in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final in Sydney.

“It was fantastic to work with the England squad during the Six Nations.