Conor O’Shea has moved to quash speculation linking him with the Ireland job by insisting he is happy at Harlequins and wants to extend his contract at the club.

IF HARLEQUINS take Leinster’s Heineken Cup crown they may have to thank the unusual combination of Michael Phelps, Terenure College in Dublin and Alabama’s United States Sports Academy.

Harlequins director of rugby Conor O’Shea has revealed he would be “delighted” to be part of the panel that helps select the new England head coach.

Conor O’Shea isn’t inclined to look back to Bloodgate nor forward to a possible role in the Irish set-up. For the moment, it’s all about Wasps tonight at The Stoop. Harlequins’ director of rugby spoke to Simon Lewis

CONOR O’SHEA has seen off a star-studded field to become the new director of rugby at Harlequins.

Conor O’Shea has seen off a star-studded field to become the new director of rugby at Harlequins.

CONOR O’SHEA is expected to be named as Harlequins’ new director of rugby.

Former world champion Peter Ebdon admits he has a tough draw to negotiate if he is to land the Pukka-Pies UK Championship crown for a second time.

THE Lions’ planning for today’s showdown did not begin last Sunday, after the 26-21 first Test defeat in Durban, but two years ago and it took them via the Pittsburgh Steelers to Pretoria.

DAVID OLIVER JOYCE claimed the featherweight berth on the Irish team for next month’s European Boxing Championships when outpointing Carl Frampton in a box-off at the Central Council Tournament in the National Stadium at the weekend.

SEAN KELLY claimed yesterday the appointment of Professor Greg Whyte as Director of Sports Science at the Irish Institute of Sport (IIS) had filled the “biggest void in high-class sport in this country".

Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce is impressed with the progress of full-back Nedum Onuoha as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Commonwealth diving champion Peter Waterfield felt his world “had fallen apart” when he sustained a freak injury in the run-up to the Olympics – while doing ballet.

Great Britain women’s team captain Paula Radcliffe claims Sheffield never had a chance of staging the 2005 World Championships after London dropped out of the running.