Director of rugby Conor O’Shea has revealed he will have a say in appointing his successor at Harlequins.

The 45-year-old Stoop chief last month announced his plan to quit the club at the end of the season with Quins undertaking a wide search for his replacement.

O’Shea, who is widely tipped to take on the job of breathing life into Italy’s international fortunes, has overseen a period of unprecedented success during his six years with the former Premiership champions.

The club will not provide an update on how the search for a new director of rugby is progressing until the job is complete, but O’Shea has confirmed he has a role to play.

“I will be involved in the recruitment of my replacement and that process has already started,” he said.

“It is an ongoing process behind the scenes and one that will keep progressing as the season goes on. There is nothing to add at this stage.”

O’Shea’s successor will be in an enviable position when he takes charge, with a host of current and future England internationals on board and ex-Australia captain James Horwill and British & Irish Lions centre Jamie Roberts on long-term contracts.

Northampton Saints visit the Stoop tomorrow and O’Shea says his men – beaten by Newcastle Falcons on Sunday – are ready.

“A six-day turnaround is never easy in the Premiership, especially at the start of an important 10-game stretch. We are all focused on getting in the top four and seeing where the Challenge Cup takes us,” he added.