Harlequins tie down coaching trio
Table-topping Premiership outfit Harlequins have ensured that the coaching trio of Director of rugby Conor O’Shea, head coach John Kingston and skills coach Collin Osborne will all be at the club until the end of the 2013/14 season at least.
O’Shea, who was capped 35 times by Ireland, is now approaching the start of his third season with Harlequins having joined in March 2010.
“I am delighted to have re-signed with the club.” O’Shea commented. “This is an exciting time to be part of Harlequins. Our talented squad is developing in the right direction and I cannot thank the players, coaching team and support staff enough for how they have made my role so enjoyable. Our aim is to continue to develop and play the game in the way we believe it should be and to bring the success to the supporters that they deserve.
“It is also important to recognise the great contribution made by John and Collin over the years. Since my arrival at Quins, I’ve benefitted from the exceptional legacy that they, along with Tony and others have helped to create, and we are looking forward to continuing to work together over the coming seasons.”
Osborne has been associated with Harlequins for 21 years having first joined in 1990. The current skills coach had a brief spell with the Zimbabwean Rugby Union between 1993 and 1996 before returning to The Stoop as the head of youth development. Since then he has been responsible for identifying and developing talented players like Chris Robshaw, Jordan Turner Hall and Mike Brown.
Kingston joined Harlequins in the summer of 2001 and was appointed head coach in 2008, since then the club have finished second in the Premiership, reached the Heineken Cup quarterfinals and won the Amlin Challenge Cup last year. The contract extension will take Kingston into his 13th year at Harlequins.
Commenting on the re-signings, Harlequins’ Chief Executive, David Ellis said: “I am delighted that Conor, John and Collin have renewed their contracts with Harlequins. All three provide a wealth of knowledge and experience for the club. I, like all our supporters, look forward to seeing our squad continue to grow and develop under the expert guidance of our talented coaching staff.”
