London Irish Brian Smith will pick 'want away' players

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Brian Smith

London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith says he will have no hesitation in picking players who may not be at the club next season.

Prop Alex Corbisiero looks set to join Northampton and centre Jonathan Joseph is being linked with a move to Bath.

Both England internationals have stalled on new deals at the Exiles.

"While I believe the players have the best intentions and are putting in 100% for London Irish I will pick purely on form," Smith told BBC Radio Berkshire.

Smith added: "But if I felt someone was going through the motions or someone was mugging us off I would have no hesitation in dropping them and I don't care if they play for England or not."

Matt Garvey and Jamie Gibson are two other players yet to sign new contracts at the club, who lie second from bottom in the Premiership and are involved in a relegation battle with Sale and London Welsh.

But Smith says he expects all his players to fight for the club - whether they intend to be at the club next season or not.

"The big challenge is man management and I don't want this to be a brinkmanship situation," said Smith.

"I'd like to think at heart all people are pretty good and decent and that guys who are picking up pretty decent pay cheques continue to work hard for the club.

"And while ever they do that and they are prepared to get into the trenches and fight they will be selected. But if I feel they are off-piste then they won't play for London Irish."

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