"After a thorough search the Board are delighted to have secured Conor's services" said Harlequins CEO Mark Evans. "He combines international playing experience with a proven managerial track record in rugby and elsewhere. We are very confident he has the skill set we were looking for and will dovetail extremely well with our current playing management staff"

Conor O'Shea said "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the EIS and it is a shame that I will be moving on at such an exciting and challenging time for the organisation and for sport in this country. But plain and simply, my passion lies with rugby and my desire to influence at the sharp end of the game has never diminished. So when approached by Harlequins, a club with an exciting squad, a committed and talented group of coaches and support staff and a stable business model to underpin long term success, I knew it was a challenge I had to take on,"