Thomas castigates the French
Thomas Castaignede is the latest high-profile player to say that he will stay with his club if they are relegated. Indeed it wouldn't make sense for Saracens, or the players, if personnel such as Castaignède, Kyran Bracken and Richard Hill were to be retained for League One service. That goes equally for the big names at threatened Harlequins and Bath. But Castaignède's emotional commitment to Saracens is particularly striking, after the 18 months in which he has been sidelined by his Achilles tendon injury. Meanwhile the French Federation have not only resisted paying compensation to Saracens (despite the injury occurring when Castaignède was on French international duty), but have apparently shown much less interest in his wellbeing than have political luminaries like Lionel Jospin and Jaques Chirac.

Castaignède feels so let down that on BBC's Rugby Special last Thursday he made a startling declaration of affinity to England: 'I was wondering if one day maybe I would be like Tony Marsh [the New Zealander who plays for France] wearing the English shirt, because I am playing in England. When I see how Saracens treated me, when I had only been playing for them four months, while the French team that I played for for seven years rejected me, I am very frustrated.'

By saying so he may have ensured he won't play for France again, but that doesn't seem to bother him. He has said he will sign a new four-year contract with Saracens - and, having just resumed fitness training with his team-mates, he has his heart set on an appearance in the final game, against Bristol on 8 May. It would be a big statement - especially if it means that Saracens are no longer fighting relegation.

Inspiration strikes in the Borders
Scotland's third professional side, who will represent the Borders next season, has been searching for a name. Invited to contribute, supporters sent in a number of suggestions, including Border Raiders, Border Reivers, Border Blues and Southern Storm. After much deliberation the new side's officials decided that the best title would be The Borders. They must be pleased to end up with a name that offers simplicity and strong brand identity - and without having paid a marketing consultancy £750,000.

Escape from the ruck, unblemished
Could there be a link? On Friday BSkyB confirmed what The Observer revealed last Sunday - that they will not be bidding for the new Six Nations contract. On the same day they announced a change that comes at a surprising stage of the season - Simon Lazenby is to be the new presenter of all Sky's rugby programmes, starting with this Thursday's Rugby Club . What, then, of the incumbent, Mark Durden-Smith? We understand he is to be the new man on Channel 4's replacement for The Big Breakfast . Perhaps with a name like his, which represents a broadcasting pedigree, plus a matinee idol profile, he was never going to be buried at the bottom of the ruck for long. Life will now be even more 'head up and ready to play what's in front of you', as new, interactive rugby men like to say.

Dark success in shirt battle
The domination of the replica market by London Irish's dark green shirt - sales of which have gone past 20,000 for the season - turns out to be much bigger than was thought when this sartorial success story was recently reported here. It transpires that even the unique Harlequins shirt, traditionally the biggest seller, has managed only 15,000 sales this season, though that's some way ahead of the rest. Success on the field is clearly only a part of it, as a spokesman for kit suppliers KooGa explains: 'The sponsors' names on the shirts, MG Rover and Guinness, are popular ones. And with all respect to the national side, emerald green isn't as attractive as dark green.'

Defence beats attack - official
Confirmation that rugby is becoming defence-dominant comes in the annual report of the International Rugby Board. Statistical analysis of all major tournaments in 2001 shows a trend in which the average number of rucks and mauls progressively decreased, while kicks in open play went up - clear evidence of frustration in attack. An even more striking figure is the average of 3.5 passes per kick in 2001 - down from eight passes per kick in 2000. And when the top five countries play each other they have been struggling to average even one try per game. 'When these teams meet,' says the report, 'there is now a possibility that fewer tries will be scored and more penalties kicked than at any time in the last 50 years.'

Quotes of the week
'We have tried to take things from other countries and adapt it for us. Sometimes it is better to use a good copy rather than make something that doesn't work.' France coach Bernard Laporte

'Martin gave me the eyebrows look.' England coach Clive Woodward, on the reaction to putting Johnson on the bench.

'You'd be amazed what goes on in South Africa. If coaches only knew how much the players laughed behind their backs. Many a time the players would be winking to each other as the coach made his points.' London Irish's Brendan Venter, a recent Springbok centre, who believes players can contribute as much as coaches in the modern game.

· norman.harris@observer.co.uk

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