FORMER IRELAND INTERNATIONAL Conor O’Shea has signed a new contract with Harlequins, keeping him with the club until the end of the 2015/16 season.
The one-time Leinster fullback joined the Premiership outfit as Director of Rugby in 2010 and has enjoyed much success since, including a league title in 2012. The Irishman will continue in his current role for another three seasons at least.
There had been some speculation in Ireland that O’Shea was a possibility to take over the national team when Declan Kidney’s reign came to an end, but that never moved beyond the realm of rumour. The 43-year-old is highly committed to his project in London.
Still, there will always be a sense that O’Shea’s attacking coaching philosophy could be tempted back to Ireland at some stage. His excellence with Harlequins, demonstrated with four trophies since 2010, marks him out as one of the best Irish coaches employed in Europe at the moment.
Speaking about his pleasure at sealing a new deal with the club, O’Shea commented:
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. 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, a club that will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2016.”
Harlequins have also tied coaching staff members John Kingston and Collin Osborne down until 2016.
