Mark Mapletoft will continue to work alongside Conor O'Shea next year © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Mark Mapletoft

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: England | Harlequins

Harlequins have been handed a boost ahead of next season with the news that backs coach Mark Mapletoft has penned a new deal.

Mapletoft has committed to the Aviva Premiership champions until the end of the 2014-15 season and will look to build on last year's success. He has previously coached the England Under-20 side and was also capped for England during his playing days.

He joins Conor O'Shea, Collin Osborne and Tony Diprose in re-signing with the Premiership side and he is looking to continue in the same manner as last season.

"When Conor O'Shea offered me the opportunity to extend my stay with the club, it was a very easy decision," Mapletoft said. "Harlequins is a fantastic environment to work in - supportive, challenging, fun and hugely rewarding to coach a large number of ambitious English players.

"Winning the Amlin Challenge Cup and the Aviva Premiership in successive seasons has given everyone involved with the club a boost, but we recognise that these successes are only a start."

Harlequins director of rugby O'Shea added: "Mark's contribution to the recent success of the club has been significant. We go back a long way now so on a personal level I am delighted that Mark has committed his future to us. In addition, his knowledge of England qualified emerging talent gained while working with the RFU is a real asset for this club.

"I'm very pleased that he has decided to commit himself to the club until 2015 and am really looking forward to continuing to work with him."

In related news, four of Harlequins' players have agreed to dual registration contracts with London Scottish. Sam Twomey, Joe Trayfoot, Harry Allen and Miles Mantella all look set to turn out for the Championship side next term at some stage.