Quins director of rugby Conor O’Shea has backed winger Tom Williams to have a long career in coaching once he has called time on playing, writes Stuart Amos.
 

The 28-year-old made his 200th competitive appearance for the club in last week’s defeat to Saracens and was again in action for the 18-13 defeat at London Irish on Saturday.
 

The academy graduate, who has never been capped by England beyond appearing in the sevens squad, first came to prominence as the club secured its return to the top flight in 2006 after a season in English rugby’s second tier.
 

Williams, rested at the weekend  with a view to being fresh for tomorrow’s Heineken Cup visit of Scarlets, has been a virtual ever-present under O’Shea since the Irishman took over the reins from head coach John Kingston.
 

The Stoop chief says there is plenty of life in the winger yet, but admitted he has a bright future off the field ahead of him.
 

“Tom is an outstanding player and has a great understanding of how to make an impact in a game,” he said.
 

“He has so much knowledge to pass on and is already doing that with many of the youngsters at the
club.
 

“He will make an outstanding coach when he comes to retiring from playing.
 

“But he wants to make 300 appearances so, hopefully, we’ll be seeing plenty more of him before that time comes.”

Quins let standards slip at the weekend according to O’Shea, leaving him far from happy.
 

“I’m really frustrated by our performance as you can’t go out and play with such lack of precision and control,” he said.