A Brazilian pearl called Austin

Conventional wisdom has it that you don't wear a brand new pair of boots without carefully working them in. But convention, of course, doesn't much apply to Austin Healey. He wears a new pair of boots for every England game. Not many players, either, would want to tempt fate by appearing in fancy, eye-catching footwear when making a debut in a high-profile position, as Healey did when he played full-back against Wales. But Healey is Healey - and there's a touch of Rivaldo, too. For, as England's Mr Versatility is quick to point out, these silvery Mizuno boots were made for the Brazil's star midfielder in the World Cup. The 'Wave Cup' model, with a 'pearlised' finish, has Kangaroo-skin uppers, which, says Healey, allow plenty of flexibility and comfort. 'They're soft, almost like slippers,' he says, 'and I actually kick better in them.' He insists he wore them for the first time in the kickabout before the Wales game: 'That keeps them looking nice and clean, which I'm sure pleases Mizuno.' It surely does for, although the company have only 202 pairs of this limited-edition model (which retail at £150) in the UK, they regard Healey as 'our flagship'. What's next, then? Healey says that the silvery model may well be followed by a pink version. Mizuno say they have no intention of producing a pink boot. But let no one discount the possibility, one day, of a Healey pink boot - worn, subsequently, by Rivaldo.

Eleven-second digital gesture

For Henry Paul, there was good and bad news last week. The good news for the league convert was that, after getting slated in some quarters for his England debut in Paris, the Hong Kong Sevens gave him the chance to bounce back dramatically - he had a big hand in four of the five tries by which England achieved their sensational 33-20 win over Fiji in the final. The bad news is that hardly anyone has seen it. The World Cup deal with ITV, made by the International Rugby Board last summer, also gave five years of World Sevens series to ITV Sport. The latter channel dutifully screened the Hong Kong highlights at 7pm last Thursday but, judging by reports of football audiences for the beleaguered digital channel, the viewers may have numbered something in the hundreds. Certainly Paul and Gloucester team-mate James Simpson-Daniel, who scored three tries in the final, didn't have the necessary TV equipment.

Meanwhile, Sky's Rugby Club and BBC2's Rugby Special went to air later on the same evening with extended items about the Hong Kong triumph - and hand-wringing regrets for the lack of action footage. Both had tried to get material from ITV Sport. Only Sky, who persisted in their entreaties, succeeded in getting a short clip. Eleven seconds long, it showed the little-known Simon Amor tapping a penalty and going on a long solo run to score. No other England player was seen.

Classic victory in war of the roses

The high-court victory by Cotton Traders over the Rugby Football Union recalls the time, in the early 1990s, when a dramatic first change was made to the time-honoured England kit. A simple white jersey and shorts, plus the red rose, was perhaps the greatest 'classic' in world sport, and Cotton Traders' new design, which added blue and red hoops to the sleeves, didn't win universal support. The leading designer Paul Smith was just one who pronounced it inferior to the original. But the aim was to create a uniqueness that would allow replica kit to be sold. The rose itself was a problem, for many organisations used it - including the Labour Party. By 1998, a stylised version of the rose was designed that satisfied copyright requirements, and the shirts are now notably closer to the original plain white. By this time, however, Cotton Traders had made a deal that allowed Nike to take over the England kit contract; and, undeterred, Cotton promptly sold 'classic' replica kit based on the original white shirt with a red rose. Last week's judgment was that they could do so without infringing their deal with the RFU and Nike. How astute, if that is the word, to find profit in both gilding and ungilding the lily.

Raising a glass on the veldt?

Bill McLaren lacking a sense of drama? It seems so. The great man's last commentary will not, as was expected, be the Melrose Sevens next month. Instead he's accepted an invitation from the South African broadcaster SuperSport to head the commentary team for the two Tests between the Springboks and Wales. He cites the opportunity for a holiday, so at least that much-lamented golf drive may benefit.

Quotes of the week

'The difference in size between our company and Nike is dramatic. In rugby parlance it is like the Japanese pack shoving back the All Blacks.'

Steve Smith of Cotton Traders, after his company had successfully defended replica kit action by the RFU and Nike

'I haven't been to the Rec since then. That will take some time. I've walked through the town and glanced from the bridge once at it. But it stirs too much to go back yet.'

Jon Callard, deposed head coach of Bath.

norman.harris@observer.co.uk

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