OXFORD Harlequins captain Owen Gustafson feels the team are already playing with far more confidence than last season.

And having gone four games unbeaten, it is not hard to see why Quins have re-found their optimism.

Gustafson, 22, was made captain in pre-season and the Welshman is relishing the role.

He said: "It's a big honour for me, but I was quite surprised to get it.

"Matt Maudsley asked me if I wanted the job and I said yes straight away."

As for the change in Quins' fortunes, he said: "The whole set-up this year is much more professional and more structured.

"The way the coaching fits together and all the conditioning work we have been doing is excellent."

Gustafson added: "We have had a really good pre-season and we have recruited some good new players, which is important.

"We set targets and have been really honest with ourselves.

"We always knew it was going to be a really hard start, but that big result at Mounts Bay gave us real confidence and we've grown from there.

"Last year we often came off a good win and would then lose a game like Bracknell on Saturday.

"There is a real good vibe here now. Everybody is getting on well."

Gustafson has captaincy experience with his county under 19 side back home in Wales and the former Neath man seems a popular figure.

He said: "I have got some good leadership around me in players like Jamie Cope and Simon Chadbone.

"A lot of guys build up to games in different ways.

"I leave it to about ten minutes before kick off and then I get quite hyped up and say a few words."

Gustafson and Anthony Cope both had spells in Quins' No 9 shirt and elsewhere in the back line last season.

But now the settled combination has proved Cope at scrum half and Gustafson at fly half.

Gustafson said: "I spoke to Matt in pre-season and just said I wanted to play regularly.

"With Ant at scrum half, I'm quite happy to play at stand-off.

"What I didn't want was to play outside half one week and scrum half the next.

"We are getting good consistency together, which is the aim."

Off the field Gustafson is a physiotherapist at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital.

Regarding his own injuries, he said: "If I need anything I go straight to Emma Jones at Quins because it is hard to keep pestering people at work.

"But it's an advantage to have colleagues who can help you out."