Joe Marler is the best loosehead prop in European rugby - Conor O'Shea

Director of rugby at Harlequins Conor O'Shea has hailed the return of prop Joe Marler ahead of the crucial European Challenge Cup final against Montpellier in Lyon on Friday.

Marler, who was recently banned on two occasions for his comments on Wales prop Samson Lee and then indulging in a kick with Grenoble hooker Arnaud Héguy during Harlequins’ 30-6 victory at Twickenham Stoop, makes a return to bolster the Quins line-up.

The loosehead prop recently stated that he has turned to psychological help to help him keep his temper in check in a bid to revive his England career.

Welcoming the return of the 25-year-old, O’Shea wants to see Marler playing "on the edge" and believes his presence gives Harlequins a big boost.

"We want to see him on the edge because that's when he's at his best," said O'Shea.

"We want him to be physical. Joe learns lessons like we all do.

"People learn lessons - some aren't great, some are life lessons but these guys do it in the glare of publicity.

"They're not perfect but they make their mistakes to millions.

"Joe's had a pretty tough couple of weeks but I look at him as a 25-year-old loose-head prop who could become anything over the next couple of years.

"His sheer physical presence on the pitch for us is massive: Joe Marler to me is the best loosehead prop in European rugby."

After joining the club in 2010, O'Shea will be leaving Harlequins after his six-year stint with the game on Friday being his last assignment.The 45-year-old will now move to Italy to take up the coaching role.

Describing Marler "very articulate", O'Shea lauded the prop for turning to sports psychologist Jeremy Snape and looking to improve his disciplinary issues.

Sharing his experience of handling Marler, O'Shea believes if the 25-year-old can become an even better player, if he has a control on himself.

"Joe wants to control things, and he will benefit hugely from it," said O'Shea.

"He's posed me some of the funniest and some of the biggest problems in my time: he is different, but he is very, very bright.

"It has been an interesting challenge. I didn't appoint him captain here for nothing, I didn't appoint him captain when he was a 17-year-old for an England Under-18s team for nothing.

"He is very articulate when he wants to be and he is followed massively by people within a group, but he has other areas that he has to work on.

"I find him incredibly engaging company but I know there's the obtuse side of Joe, which is probably the side the media have seen a lot.

"Maybe these last few weeks will help him in the long term."

During O'Shea's stint with Harlequins, the club has won the Premiership, the European Challenge Cup and also the LV Cup.