CONOR O’SHEA IS entirely happy in his role as director of rugby at Harlequins amidst rumours linking him to taking over from Jacques Brunel as head coach of the Italy national team.
O'Shea has been with Harlequins since 2010. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
O’Shea was again linked to the position in the French media this morning, but The42 has learned that the Irishman has not been contacted by the Italian Rugby Federation [FIR] about replacing Brunel after the World Cup.
Advertisement
It has already been confirmed that former Perpignan boss Brunel will end his time as Italy’s head coach following the global tournament later this year, meaning the FIR will indeed be looking for a successor.
However, The42 understands that O’Shea is totally content in his current role with Harlequins and that the club believes there is no basis for any reports linking O’Shea with Italy.
This morning’s edition of Midi Olympique features an article which stated that the Italian Rugby Federation has singled out former France scrum-half Fabien Galthié as their number one target to replace Brunel as head coach.
The piece also suggests that O’Shea is the Italian union’s second choice, should any approach for Galthié prove unsuccessful. Midol says that Galthié is also wanted by Argentina, meaning it may be that O’Shea is offered the Italy job.
Midi Olympique stated that O'Shea's is the Italian federation's second choice. Midi Olympique
Midi Olympique
This story follows similar mutterings in the French media in February, when O’Shea’s name was first linked with the soon-to-be-vacant Italian job.
O’Shea’s current contract with Harlequins – which he signed in 2013 – runs until the summer of 2016, and it is believed the Irish director of rugby laughed off those original French media stories in February.
The former Leinster and Ireland fullback led the English club to a Premiership title in 2012, as well as winning the European Challenge Cup in 2011 and the LV= Cup in 2013.
Quins are currently eighth in the Premiership table and were knocked out of this season’s Champions Cup in the pool stages.
Conor O'Shea happy at Harlequins amidst links to Italy job post-World Cup
CONOR O’SHEA IS entirely happy in his role as director of rugby at Harlequins amidst rumours linking him to taking over from Jacques Brunel as head coach of the Italy national team.
O’Shea was again linked to the position in the French media this morning, but The42 has learned that the Irishman has not been contacted by the Italian Rugby Federation [FIR] about replacing Brunel after the World Cup.
It has already been confirmed that former Perpignan boss Brunel will end his time as Italy’s head coach following the global tournament later this year, meaning the FIR will indeed be looking for a successor.
However, The42 understands that O’Shea is totally content in his current role with Harlequins and that the club believes there is no basis for any reports linking O’Shea with Italy.
This morning’s edition of Midi Olympique features an article which stated that the Italian Rugby Federation has singled out former France scrum-half Fabien Galthié as their number one target to replace Brunel as head coach.
The piece also suggests that O’Shea is the Italian union’s second choice, should any approach for Galthié prove unsuccessful. Midol says that Galthié is also wanted by Argentina, meaning it may be that O’Shea is offered the Italy job.
This story follows similar mutterings in the French media in February, when O’Shea’s name was first linked with the soon-to-be-vacant Italian job.
O’Shea’s current contract with Harlequins – which he signed in 2013 – runs until the summer of 2016, and it is believed the Irish director of rugby laughed off those original French media stories in February.
The former Leinster and Ireland fullback led the English club to a Premiership title in 2012, as well as winning the European Challenge Cup in 2011 and the LV= Cup in 2013.
Quins are currently eighth in the Premiership table and were knocked out of this season’s Champions Cup in the pool stages.
Leinster looking for kick start with dangerous Glasgow in town
A former Ireland U20 hooker made his Super Rugby debut this morning
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Conor O'Shea Exiles Harlequins Head Coach Irish Abroad Italy