Conor O’Shea yesterday removed himself from the running to become Ireland’s next head coach by confirming his intention to continue as Harlequins’ director of rugby.

With Declan Kidney’s contract due to expire in the summer and under increased pressure following the defeat to Scotland, O’Shea had been installed as the favourite to succeed him.

The 42-year-old sees his future at Harlequins, however. “I’m contracted to Harlequins until the end of the 2013-’14 season. I will be honouring that commitment and hopefully continuing beyond it,” he said.

Harlequins currently lead the English Premiership, are through to the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup, where they will face Munster and won the Amlin Challenge Cup under O’Shea’s guidance in 2011.

Behind O’Shea in the bookmakers’ running is Ireland Under-20 coach Mike Ruddock, the former Wales boss, and Leinster’s Joe Schmidt.