O’Shea would welcome RFU role

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.

O’Shea and Ian McGeechan have been linked with a role as Premiership Rugby representatives on the five-man committee charged with suggesting Martin Johnson’s permanent successor.

The panel will be chaired by the Rugby Football Union’s new chief executive Ian Ritchie.

The Twickenham representatives on the so-called 153 committee are reported to be Rob Andrew, the RFU’s professional rugby director, and head of elite coach development Kevin Bowring.

The RFU and Premiership Rugby want to conduct the process in secret with neither organisation prepared to confirm officially who will be involved. O’Shea said: “Within the agreement [between the clubs and the RFU], Premiership Rugby are going to have an input and if the ones nominated are myself and Geech [McGeechan] then I’d be delighted and will be delighted to be part of that process.”

However, the Harlequins Director of rugby stressed that he’ll be operating a ‘laissez-faire’ attitude towards the matter.

“I will leave the process to take its path and be involved as and when I am asked,” he said.

O’Shea would appear to be well-equipped for a role on the panel, given he has three years experience as the RFU’s regional academy director before subsequently joining the English Institute of Sport.

The former Ireland full-back was considered a potential candidate for the England job before committing his future to Harlequins.