Aviva Premiership
Conor O'Shea committed to Harlequins
ESPN Staff
March 29, 2013
London Irish director of rugby Conor O'Shea talks to the media, Powergen Cup Final Preview, April 16, 2002
Conor O'Shea insists he has unfinished business with Premiership side Harlequins © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Conor O'Shea
Teams: England | Harlequins

Harlequins boss Conor O'Shea has rubbished reports suggesting he is set for a switch to the Rugby Football Union to help assist England coach Stuart Lancaster with player development.

O'Shea, whose side will resume their bid for Premiership glory against Gloucester in front of the ESPN cameras on Friday night, has been linked with the RFU's head of player development role - incorporating the RFU Academy, Under 20s, Under 18s and all junior development programmes - that Lancaster used to occupy and which has been unfilled since he took charge of the national side.

The former Irish international has also been mentioned as possible replacement for under-fire Ireland coach Declan Kidney but O'Shea has told the Daily Telegraph that the reports are wide of the mark and he has unfinished business with Quins where he is contracted until the end of the 2013-14 season.

"I haven't a clue where the RFU story might have come from as there has been absolutely no contact by them with me," said O'Shea, who has previously worked for the RFU on player development. "The Ireland connection had a certain logic to it given my background and, although it's very flattering to be associated with such jobs, I am more than happy at Harlequins.

"The job here is far from finished. The next nine days, with the game at Gloucester followed by the home Heineken Cup quarter-final against Munster, is an unbelievably exciting time for the club. We won the LV Cup last week with a young side, are currently in a Premiership play-off position and have never managed to get to a Heineken Cup semi-final. These are great days for the club and I'm committed to Harlequins. There is a whole lot going on and I intend to be very much part of it."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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