London Irish boss Brian Smith expects to know within days whether sacked Australian star James O’Connor will link with the English rugby union club.

O’Connor, who had his contract with the Australian Rugby Union terminated this month, has been strongly linked with a short-term deal to play with Irish.

The 23-year-old utility back was escorted from Perth airport for drunken behaviour and has since attracted interest from several European clubs.

But his signing would be a high-profile coup for Irish director of rugby Smith.

“He’s a world-class player, he’s a terrific kid and I’m sure that will all be unveiled at the front end of this week,” Smith said.

“Any team in England or in France would be lucky to have him.

“I would imagine in the next 24 or 48 hours he will play his cards and all will be revealed.”

O’Connor announced he had taken the option of looking to play in the northern hemisphere in a bid to get back into Ewen McKenzie’s Wallabies squad.

He said in a statement last week: “I have decided that I will be moving overseas next month as part of a short-term playing contract.

“I am in final discussions with several clubs and will announce the new partnership in coming days.

“I believe the move, for a few months, will be beneficial for me to develop in a different environment and help me to be the best rugby player and person that I can be.

“It will also ensure that I continue playing professional rugby immediately and not wait until early in the new year to resume competition.

“I want to give myself every opportunity to get back into the Wallabies side and to represent Australia in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.”