Conor O'Shea distances himself from Ireland coaching job

Conor O'Shea appears out of the running to become Ireland's next coach by saying that he intends to continue as Harlequins director of rugby.

Declan Kidney's current Ireland contract runs out in the summer and he is under increasing pressure after successive Six Nations defeats.

However, O'Shea distanced himself from the Ireland role on Tuesday.

"I'm contracted to Harlequins until the end of the 2013-14 season. I will be honouring that commitment," he said.

O'Shea added that he would "hopefully continue beyond" his current deal with the English Premiership club.

Kidney, who has been in charge since 2008, went into this year's Six Nations under a degree of pressure and that has increased following the successive defeats by England and Scotland.

O'Shea had been installed as the favourite to succeed Kidney by bookmakers.

Leinster coach Joe Schmidt, ex-Leinster coach Michael Cheika and former Wales coach Mike Ruddock have also been mentioned as possible contenders to succeed Kidney, if the IRFU opts not to extend the Munster man's contract.