Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea has described backs coach Mark Mapletoft and defence coach Tony Diprose as among the most forward thinking in the country.

The pair have both agreed contract extensions at the Stoop with Mapletoft remaining at the club until 2017 and Diprose see his long association with Quins continued until 2018.

Both coaches played primary roles in securing the Amlin Challenge Cup in 2011, the Aviva Premiership in 2012 and the LV= Cup in 2013, in the process leading to Harlequins being the most successful Premiership sides in recent times.

Over 70 per cent of the current squad  have either graduated from the academy system - overseen by Dipsorse - or are currently performing within it, while 95 per cent of the squad are England-qualified. 

"We are very fortunate to have one of the brightest and most forward-thinking coaching teams in the game," said O'Shea.

"Tony and Mark in their respective roles are a privilege to work with. They are both pivotal to our on-going development as a club and we are delighted they have committed their future to Harlequins.”