Rugby Speak

"We conceded too many penalties. I think the final count was 16-6. I'll have to keep putting the fines up."

- London Irish coach Dick Best promises to hit players where it hurts . . . in the pocket after Sunday's heavy defeat by Gloucester.

"When I first came here, when we won a match we were the best team in the world and when we lost we were unlucky or it was the ref's fault. Now the players know that success is in their hands."

- Gloucester coach Philippe Saint-Andre whose team will top the English Premiership should they win against Bedford today.

"I don't know how long it will take but, having made the decision not to play, it would be a waste of time to come back too soon. Surgery is an option but it is not one that I would like to take because it would mean a long rehabilitation."

- Lions, England and Leicester second row Martin Johnson on missing the Bath game. He could be out for up to five weeks with an Achilles tendon problem thereby missing the Six Nations game against Ireland at Twickenham.

John O'Sullivan can be contacted at josullivan@irish-times.ie.