Brian Smith quits after report claims he's 'way out of his depth'

England backs coach Brian Smith, the target of severe criticism in the leaked confidential comments from the World Cup squad, today followed team manager Martin Johnson's lead and resigned before he was axed.

The 45-year-old was appointed by Johnson in 2008 having made a ­significant impact at London Irish after a playing career that encompassed both codes of rugby.

Smith's attempt to bring new ideas to England's back play appeared stymied by the attitude of forwards coach John Wells and the influence of Mike Ford, the defence coach, who wanted players who would shore up the midfield rather than cut open defences. As a result, Smith became an increasingly frustrated figure and, according to the leaked reports from the players, lost their confidence at the World Cup where England crashed out of the ­quarter-finals.

The Australian has now become the first victim of the fall-out from the ­controversial publication of the reports, having been vilified by some of the squad.

One of the players claimed: "He didn't offer anything. We had all the ideas for strategy and all he did was write the players' ideas on the board."

Another criticism was much more succinct, saying simply: "He was way out of his depth."

The focus will now switch to what Wells does next. It is expected he will be moved to the Rugby Football Union Academy system, working with younger players. That would leave scrum coach Graham Rowntree and Ford to join Saxons chief Stuart Lancaster in a caretaker group for the Six Nations defence.

Smith had to accommodate the limited attacking play of Mike Tindall in his backline and the centre was today appealing against a £25,000 fine and exclusion from the England squad following his off-the-field antics in New Zealand. The hearing was switched to a secret location away from Twickenham to avoid the media.

Chris Robshaw, one of the favourites to take over as England captain, believes the leaked confidential reports have "abused" experienced players at the heart of Johnson's regime.

The Harlequins flanker, who was praised by other squad members in the leaked reports for his form in pre-World Cup training before being left out of the final 30-strong party, said: "The most upsetting thing is that the players gave their views in private in order to improve things and take English rugby forward.

"Unfortunately, it's not come across that way and with the views being put into the media, certain players have been made to look foolish. Players who have been in top flight rugby for 10 years and given everything for club and country have been a bit abused."

The RFU's chief disciplinary officer, Judge Jeff Blackett, is appointing an independent investigator to take charge of the inquiry into the source of the leak.