Harlequins’ Dave Ward has not shied away from last season’ disappointments and believes new head of rugby Paul Gustard will be huge for the Stoop outfit.

Quins’ below-par season ended in them finishing 10th in the Premiership and director of rugby John Kingston leaving his post.

Since then, former England defence coach Gustard has taken the hot seat as head of rugby, while Australian Billy Millard has come in as general manager, with both taking on responsibility of first-team affairs.

Ward has worked with Gustard before, and the chance to do so again means he believes the only way is up for a Quins side determined to right the wrong of 2017-18.

“With the news around the appointment obviously and rumours being rife we were obviously always on Twitter during the summer, but to get it confirmed that Paul Gustard was coming in was massively exciting for everyone,” said Ward, who has been at Quins since 2012.

“There was a buzz among all the players. I was with a few of the players when it happened and it was a good moment. 

“I obviously know of Paul through Saxons - and the England boys talk so highly of him: his energy, his enthusiasm and his knowledge of the game is second to none. He is probably one of the highest-rated coaches in the world so for Quins to acquire such a coach is massive.

“We are buzzing as we wait for him to arrive from South Africa and now we just want to make sure we get ourselves in the best possible shape for when he turns up.”