Irishman Conor O'Shea is set for a return to the Premiership frontline with Harlequins © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Conor O'Shea | Dean Richards

Tournaments/Tours: Guinness Premiership

Teams: England | Harlequins

Harlequins have confirmed Conor O'Shea's appointment as the Premiership club's new director of rugby.

The 39-year-old former Ireland fullback, who is currently national director at the English Institute of Sport, will fill the void left by Dean Richards who resigned in the wake of the 'Bloodgate' saga earlier this year. Ian McGeechan, British and Irish Lions head coach in South Africa earlier this year, ex-Scotland chief Frank Hadden and current Quins defence coach Tony Diprose were also linked with the post with the latter widely tipped to get the job after head coach John Kingston ruled himself out of contention.

"After a thorough search the Board are delighted to have secured Conor's services," said Harlequins CEO Mark Evans. "He combines international playing experience with a proven managerial track record in rugby and elsewhere. We are very confident he has the skill set we were looking for and will dovetail extremely well with our current playing management staff."

O'Shea, who it is understood will not begin work with Quins until March, won 35 caps for Ireland and made more than 120 first team appearances for London Irish before moving into coaching after a knee injury forced his premature retirement. He later served as the Exiles' director of rugby, steering them to the 2002 Powergen Cup title, before joining the Rugby Football Union as director of their national academy.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the EIS and it is a shame that I will be moving on at such an exciting and challenging time for the organisation and for sport in this country," he said. "But plain and simply, my passion lies with rugby and my desire to influence at the sharp end of the game has never diminished. So when approached by Harlequins, a club with an exciting squad, a committed and talented group of coaches and support staff and a stable business model to underpin long term success, I knew it was a challenge I had to take on."

Richards' high-profile exit came prior to him receiving a three-year worldwide coaching ban for his role in the 'Bloodgate' fake injury scandal that also saw former Quins physiotherapist Steph Brennan and current player Tom Williams banned.

EIS chairman Steve Cram added, "We wish Conor all the best in his new role at Harlequins. He has made a significant impact during his time at the EIS and led the organisation through a significant period of change. As a result of his efforts we now feel we are in the best possible shape to support sports in the lead up to 2012 and beyond. A suitable successor is now being sought."

O'Shea will remain in his post at the EIS for another three months but should be on board at Quins in time for a possible Guinness Premiership play-off push. The club are facing an early exit from this season's Heineken Cup, having lost their first three pool games, but their Guinness Premiership form is better and they currently lie five points off a top-four place. John Kingston, who recently agreed a new contract as head coach, took charge of team affairs following Richards' departure and will remain a critical part of Quins' coaching structure.