Backs coach pens new Quins deal

Harlequins have been boosted by the news backs coach Mark Mapletoft has signed a new deal to keep him on board until 2015.

The Aviva Premiership champions have already been given a massive lift ahead of the new campaign after director of rugby Conor O'Shea, Collin Osborne and Tony Diprose had all agreed to stay put at the Twickenham Stoop this close-season. And former England Under-20 coach, Mapletoft, who played a key role in May's grand final success, was delighted to stick with the club in an effort to bring them more silverware in the next two seasons. "When Conor O'Shea offered me the opportunity to extend my stay with the club, it was a very easy decision," Mapletoft said. "Harlequins is a fantastic environment to work in - supportive, challenging, fun and hugely rewarding to coach a large number of ambitious English players. "Winning the Amlin Challenge Cup and the Aviva Premiership in successive seasons has given everyone involved with the club a boost, but we recognise that these successes are only a start."