Nick Easter on the charge for Quins © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Nick Easter | Conor O'Shea

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: England | Harlequins

Harlequins have tied down England No.8 Nick Easter on a new three-year contract.

The 33-year-old will stay the Twickenham Stoop until the end of the 2014-15 season. The No.8 was part of the England squad that journeyed to New Zealand for the 2011 World Cup but he was one of the high profile omissions in the recent EPS for the 2012 Six Nations.

And Easter has his eyes firmly set on winning more silverware at Quins after lifting the Amlin Challenge Cup last season. "I'm delighted to have re-signed with Harlequins," Easter said. "It is a club that allows you to express yourself on the pitch. We're playing an attractive style of rugby that is not only producing positive results it is also enjoyable to be part of.

"I'm looking forward to contributing to the ongoing success of the team and to winning more silverware for the club and its supporters."

Quins director of rugby Conor O'Shea expects Easter to continue his high standard of performance at the Premiership side and has labelled him the best No.8 in the country.

"I'm sure everyone involved with the club will be delighted that Nick has signed for another three years," O'Shea said. "I believe he is currently the best number 8 in the country. Nick still has a lot that he wants to achieve in the game. Having come to professional rugby later than others, and given the condition he keeps himself in, we believe he will play at the highest level for years to come.

"Players like Brad Thorne, Simon Shaw and Fabien Pelous are examples of what Nick will be for this club and his experience, leadership and above all, rugby will be the key to where we go in coming years."