Former Ireland rugby international Conor O'Shea, whose family is steeped in the GAA, is among the early favourites for the vacant England rugby manager's position.

O'Shea has been director of rugby at Harlequins since 2010 and spent several years working as the RFU's Director of Regional Academies before joining the English Institute of Sport as National Director. England are on the lookout for a new manager following Stuart Lancaster's departure yesterday, and the ex-Ireland full back could be a contender for what is the highest paid job in world rugby. 

Born in Limerick, O'Shea's father Jerome was one of Gaelic football's biggest names during the 1950s when he won All-Ireland medals with Kerry in 1953, '55 and '59. O'Shea has always been proud of his GAA background and famously gave a team talk to the English squad about the significance of Croke Park before their historic Six Nations match against Ireland at GAA headquarters in 2007.

Jerome O'Shea won an Irish Independent Sport Star of the Week award with Munster in February 1957 ©jeromeoshea.com

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