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Former England coach Graham Rowntree has joined Harlequins ahead of next season as part of their new-look backroom set-up.

Director of rugby Conor O'Shea will leave Harlequins at the end of the season to take up the top job at Italy and he will be replaced by current Quins head coach John Kingston. Mark Mapletoft, who played for Quins and returned in a coaching capacity in 2010, will step up to take Kingston's previous role as head coach with Rowntree joining as forwards coach.

Nick Easter, Harlequins' No.8, will shift into a player-coach role next term and will look after the Aviva Premiership side's defence. Collin Osborne continues as skills coach with Tony Diprose promoted to academy and global development director. 

For Rowntree, it will be his first full-time role since he left England in the wake of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Rowntree's appointment means all three of Stuart Lancaster's former backroom staff are now back in coaching with Andy Farrell at Ireland and Mike Catt joining O'Shea at Italy.

"To have the opportunity to coach at such a prestigious and historic club really excites me," Rowntree said. "Harlequins has a very talented playing squad with a wealth of top class experience and a fantastic crop of youngsters. I can't wait to join up with the new coaching group and get started."

The confirmation of Kingston's appointment as Quins' director of rugby comes a little over three months after O'Shea confirmed he was leaving the club at the end of the season.

Quins were linked with a number of coaches including Wayne Smith, Heyneke Meyer and Gregor Townsend as they looked for O'Shea's replacement but opted for an in-house appointment in Kingston who has been with the side since 2001.

"I'm immensely proud of what I have achieved in the last eight years as head coach and taking the role of director of rugby is an exciting and well timed new challenge for me," Kingston said.

"Conor O'Shea will leave a lasting legacy on this club with the success we have achieved over the last six years and it is something I am excited to build on heading into our 150th year. He has made a massive impression on me, the squad, staff and supporters and we know he will be greatly missed by the whole club.

"I'm looking forward to getting the best out of a great group of players and a wonderfully exciting new coaching group during the next era for Harlequins."