News from the world of rugby

Sabbath offering

Andrew Trimble was asked this week about playing rugby on Sundays.

The Irish utility back, known to be a devout Christian, explained that the good Lord gave him a talent to play the game and that as thanks he would use that talent as best he could on the Sabbath.

Trimble played a straight bat on the issue, while the former All Black Michael Jones apparently didn't - at least that's what we think. Jones, who refused to play on Sundays for similar religious convictions, was asked how he squared off his monstrous hits with peace-loving Christianity. "The good book," he is reported to have replied, "says it is better to give than to receive." Nice one.

Burger moves on

Jacques Burger, the 24-year-old Namibian number eight who will join the French second-division side Stade Aurillacois in November, is nothing if not a realist.

"We know what the Ireland coach said about scoring as many points as possible against us, but that's not worrying," said Burger stoically. "We expected them to do that anyway because they're a professional rugby team. It's such a competitive pool with France, Argentina and Ireland that it's important they get their points totals up."

Burger cheerily continued in the same vein: "We need to get used to it because after Ireland, France and Argentina will want to do exactly the same thing to us. Everyone is expecting us to get hammered." Too right.

Ticket mystery

There are few Irish fans in Bordeaux and unless they flood into the city today, the 36,000-capacity stadium will not be full. But look on the ticket websites and there is no availability - er, that obviously clears things up.

Kiwis on message

Ever the innovators, New Zealand are resorted to encrypted two-way radios to protect their team tactics from spying ears. Portable radios designed for police forces around the world are being used by the All Blacks to pass secret messages between management in the stands and support staff on the sideline.

The All Blacks have taken security seriously over the years, prompting one of the Australia coaches, Scott Johnson, to yank their chain. New Zealand had claimed the Wallabies were attempting to spy on their training sessions in 2006. So Johnson turned up to a press conference dressed in camouflage and wearing a T-shirt with "Paranoia is curable" printed on the back.

Quote of the day

"People look at one or two scrums and say we're under pressure. It isn't as bad as people want it to be. People look for those faults, see one or two of them, then have a reason to moan about it." - Assistant Irish coach Niall O'Donovan giving a bit back.

Restaurant watch

You'll probably never find Le Petit Café. That's good if you have crowned teeth.

The chips are tungsten coated but the staff are quite delightful.

If you are staying in the Mercure Hotel, or the more upmarket Burdigala, where The Irish Timesmost definitely is not, its right beside you, and that makes it - you've got it - convenient.