New head of rugby Paul Gustard has added an imposing six-foot-three model bear into the Harlequins team room in order to help improve the club’s dismal defensive record.

Gustard was famed for introducing Saracens’ ‘wolf pack’ mentality during his successful spell as their defence coach, before leaving to join Eddie Jones’ England coaching set-up in 2016.

Harlequins finished with one of the poorest defensive records in the Premiership last season, conceding an average of 3.5 tries, the third worst return in the league, and an average 22 points per game.

“There is a massive bear in our team room. I haven’t gone too close to it! It looks real – but it hasn’t moved yet! That is going be the basis of how we defend – to be like bears,” fly-half Demetri Catrakilis explained.

“There was a curtain over something in the corner. I was wondering “what the hell is this?” I was waiting for someone to come out of the back. I don’t know if it is real, it might be!?