Gustard’s animal magic gets results

Paul Gustard admits he is ’left-field’, which is short-hand for saying he is a strange man, with unusual methods.

Most rugby coaches would plan an inspirational speech to gee up their players, or a video clip that proves they are capable of doing what is asked of them.

Not Gustard, though. Instead, the Saracens defence coach brings live wolves into training, following that up by feeding a mouse to a python as a group of hardened rugby men were reduced to quivering wrecks in front of him.