O’Shea happy at Quins and rules out replacing Kidney

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.

The 42-year-old has been installed as favourite by the bookmakers to replace Declan Kidney if the IRFU decide not to extend the latter’s contract at the end of the Six Nations.

Sunday’s shock defeat by Scotland — a game in which Ireland had 77% possession — has increased calls for Kidney’s four-year reign to be brought to an end, and O’Shea would be an obvious replacement.

The former full-back won 35 caps for Ireland before injury brought a premature end to his career in 2000, but he has gone on to carve out a reputation as one of the most impressive young coaches in the game.

A successful spell at London Irish was followed by roles within the RFU and the English Institute of Sport before O’Shea joined Harlequins three years ago.

O’Shea has done a superb job in south-west London, leading Quins to Amlin Challenge Cup glory in 2011 and the Aviva Premiership title last year, while they are top of the table this time round and have a home Heineken Cup quarter-final against Munster to look forward to in April.

And RTÉ pundit O’Shea insists he is happy at the Stoop and has no desire to take the Ireland job, saying he would rather extend his current deal, which expires at the end of next season.

O’Shea said: “I am contracted to Harlequins until the end of the 2013-14 season. I will be honouring that commitment and hopefully continuing beyond it.”

That will be a blow to the IRFU, who would have to look elsewhere if they do decide to replace Kidney.

And some members of the Harlequins squad admitted they are not in the least surprised that their Director of Rugby has been linked with such high-profile jobs, praising him for the role he has played in their success.

“He is a great asset to the club,” said George Robson.

“He knows what makes people successful and makes them tick. He is a really good guy and is good at what he does, so there can be no surprise there is speculation over different roles for him.

“He was talked about when the England job was up for grabs, so inevitably he will get looked at when jobs are out there. All credit to him.”