O’Shea extends contract with Harlequins

Conor O’Shea has extended his contract as director of rugby at Harlequins until the end of the 2015-16 season.

The former Ireland international arrived at the Stoop since 2009, in the wake of the infamous ‘Bloodgatge’ incident, and his backroom team have also committed their futures to the English Premiership club.

“I am very privileged to be asked to continue as director of rugby at Harlequins and would like to thank the club’s owners and the board for this opportunity,” O’Shea said today.

“Every day I go into the club I meet a group of coaches, players and support staff that wants to be the best they can be and wants to bring success to a club that belongs at the top of the game.

“We are ambitious to ensure that what we are building here is a lasting legacy, that we play rugby in a style that our supporters enjoy and is true to the tradition of this club.”

O'Shea had been linked with the Ireland vacancy earlier this year, and indeed the role of performance director at the IRFU that appears to have been filled by David Nucifora, but his commitment to Harlequins saw him stay in London.

“I’m going nowhere,” he said when his named was bandied about at the time. “My contract is here (until 2014), I love it here and we’re just focused on achieving what we think this club can do over the next number of years. It’s flattering but my job is here full stop.

“We’re very excited about the group of players we have and how much we still have to improve as a team.”