George Smith says he wouldn’t refuse a chance to restart his Wallabies career against the British and Irish Lions.

But Smith is adamant work still needs to be done by the Australian Rugby Union to ensure he has the blessing of his Japanese club to line up in this winter’s blockbuster three-Test series.

The 110-Test flanker once again showed he is world-class with a strong display in the Brumbies’ gutsy 19-19 draw with the Queensland Reds on Saturday night.

Smith and Liam Gill, 12 years his junior, were both among their side’s best in a brutal and fiery clash at Suncorp Stadium.

Although Gill is in superb form and incumbent No.7 Michael Hooper is playing strongly for NSW, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans would still love to call on Smith to face the Lions.

“It would be great to be able to consider George, but it very much comes down to what he wants to do,” Deans told Fox Sports.

Deans was poised to speak with Smith after the Reds-Brumbies clash but the 32-year-old was not about to put the cart before the horse, wanting the Australian Rugby Union to approach Japanese club Suntory first.

“For anything else to happen there has to be an approach made to Suntory (by the ARU) for me to be released (to play for the Wallabies),” he said.

“I’ve been very grateful to them to let me to play for the Brumbies.”

Pushed on whether he wants to add to his 110 Tests, Smith said: “I wouldn’t refuse it. It is a huge honour to play for the Wallabies.

“It is such a huge occasion playing against the Lions but we’re talking about hypotheticals.”

Smith kept his remarkable unbeaten record against Queensland, now going 12 matches now without a loss to the Reds.

“He’s a class act,” Deans said.

“There’s not too many players that can come out of the Japanese league and straight into this level and a fixture of this level of intensity and stand out.”

Smith also gave praise to Gill, labelling the 20-year-old a talent who was sure to have a fine Test career.