English rugby union club London Irish have confirmed that Australian-born rugby director Brian Smith will leave the club.

Irish said Smith has been granted early release from his contract – which was due to expire on June 30 this year – on “compassionate grounds” and he will return to Australia for family reasons.

Exiles forwards coach Glenn Delaney will take on the role of interim head coach between now and the end of this season.

Before heading to the UK, Smith earned six caps for the Wallabies and then went into coaching, having stints as a head coach in Japan and on the staff at the ACT Brumbies.

During his playing career, Smith also had a brief stint in rugby league, playing for Balmain and Eastern Suburbs.