Harlequins hooker Dave Ward might have taken time to settle at the Stoop, but director of rugby Conor O'Shea reckons he has the attributes to force himself back into the England reckoning.

The 30-year-old, who has made 73 appearances for Quins, agreed a contract extension with the club this week, adding his name to a long list of players to have commited their futures to west London recently.

Ward arrived at the Stoop in the summer of 2012, but largely played third fiddle to Joe Gray and Rob Buchanan - who had lifted the Premiership title the previous season - in his first year in Twickenham.

But three years on, the former Bath youngster, whose career took off with an impressive spell with Championship side Cornish Pirates, is among the first names on O'Shea's teamsheet.

And the Quins chief believes there is plenty more to come from one of his star men.

“Dave is everything you want in a rugby player and some of the performances he has put in at openside for us this year show what a brilliant athlete he is," said O'Shea.

“He is a bundle of energy who brings an infectious enthusiasm to every session. Wardy's best years are still to come as he took a route to the top that has meant he has a lot of mileage left on the clock.

“He fits our style down to a tee and shouldn't in anyway limit his ambitions despite the competition for places he faces at the club and beyond."

Ward, who combines playing with being head coach at Guildford RFC, was named players’ player of the season in 2014 after a campaign that saw him rewarded with a spot in the England squad that toured New Zealand that summer.

He has played openside flanker on four occasions this term, putting in a man of the match display against Cardiff Blues in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

"I am very proud to have re-signed for such a prestigious club and extend my stay at Harlequins," he added.

“I’d like to thank Conor O'Shea and the coaching team for all they have done and the opportunities that have been given to me.

"With the way that the team play and the great supporters we have, I feel that Harlequins has become my home.”