It's a team-bonding exercise that could have calamitous consequences. The decision by Wales coach Steve Hansen to station the Welsh rugby World Cup squad in self-catering accommodation could be described as parsimonious, a reflection of the parlous state of the finances of the Welsh rugby union (WRU).

However, the Welsh squad could have stayed in a hotel but instead Hansen elected for more spartan conditions and furthermore decreed that the players would not only clean their apartments, wash, dry and iron their clothes but also cook for themselves.

The sight of 30 players nipping down the local Tescos squeezing melons, checking out the housekeeper's cut and wondering whether to plump for prawns or the fois gras on their Aus$40 daily allowance may be slightly disconcerting for the locals.

The players though have embraced the new regime with gusto as 22-year-old outhalf Ceri Sweeney explained: "As any rugby player will tell you, staying in a hotel night after night, eating in the same dining room and being waited on hand and foot gets pretty monotonous."

Robert Ludlum, John Grisham and Tom Clancy have been usurped by Delia Smith, Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson as required reading; it's possible to picture a lull in training with a couple of props swapping recipes or exchanging tips on getting that soufflé light and fluffy.

Sweeney maintains that the players have embraced the regime with gusto. "The other night I cooked a chilli for the boys from two apartments on our landing and they thoroughly enjoyed it, Well that's what they said."

Obviously rooming arrangements take on greater significance and there won't be a queue to sample scrumhalf Dwayne Peel's culinary prowess; or lack of it. His current flatmate Jonathan Thomas, a keen cook admitted: "I am pretty handy in the kitchen from living on my own but I wouldn't be able to put a name to some of the things that Dwayne has served up."

Apparently competition is pretty fierce in the kitchen with talk of themed parties. The contrast with England, who have brought their own private chef, could not be more stark.

A nutritionist and chef collaborate to decide on every meal from breakfast complete with egg-white omelettes, bacon and gammon steaks, porridge mixed with quinoa, a grain rich in protein to lunch, consisting of fish or chicken and carbohydrates.

The daily intake is bang on 6,000 calories, they drink nine litres of water daily and no carbohydrates are eaten after midday. England have left nothing to chance and everything is regulated - daily schedules are pushed under players' doors every night - and presumably that extends to nocturnal activity in their rooms, shared by wives/girlfriends.

Dubliner in demand

Jonathan Noland from Sandycove in Dublin is the man behind the official graphics and banners that accompany the World Cup in Australia. Nolan was the design manager for the Sydney Olympic Games and won the International Board (IRB) contract to design the official graphics for the tournament.

His company, Coast Design, set up with designer Patrick Curda, was also appointed by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) to co-ordinate and manage the design needs by the host rugby union. Having emigrated to Australia in 1996 Nolan has enjoyed phenomenal success in his new home.

This week the Australian public will get its first view of the designs kept under warps for months, as banners start going up in the host cities and venues around the country.

Eh, for those of you interested "a vibrant Australian palette of reds, yellows, lime and cyan blue will complement the Rugby World Cup's core colours of blue and green".

Beckham gesture

David Beckham has sent a personal good luck message to England's outhalf Johnny Wilkinson ahead of their opening game in the World Cup against Georgia. The two became friendly during a television commercial for sportswear giant adidas.

Wilkinson admitted: "He (Beckham) has been very supportive and passed on his best, which has been fantastic. It was great working with him doing the adidas advert and he's obviously a huge international figure. He's captain of his country and he knows what World Cups are about. It's a nice gesture and I wish him the best also," a reference to England's crucial soccer match in the European Championship qualifying campaign that sees them travel to Turkey.

Wilkinson added: "He just got in contact and passed on his best through adidas and through a quick phone message."

O'Neill backs Millar

ARU chief executive John O'Neill has stated he will not oppose Ireland's Syd Millar for the top position in the International Board (IRB).

O'Neill confirmed he would not put his name forward at elections due to be held at a full IRB council meeting next month.

"No, Syd Millar will be chairman as far as I am aware. I think we need stability and continuity at the top and Syd is the right man for the job. No one has done more in rugby than Syd Millar.

"I couldn't imagine anyone will stand against him. I haven't heard that suggestion."

Millar became acting chairman of the IRB in September 2002 while Vernon Pugh battled kidney cancer, to which the Welshman fatally succumbed in April. Millar has said that he did not want to job for a full three-year term but may have been prevailed upon to change his mind.

Kaplan in command

Ireland's opening game of the World Cup against Romania in Gosford on Saturday will be refereed by South African Jonathan Kaplan. He has officiated several times before in Ireland Test matches. Compatriot Mark Lawrence will run one line with England's Tony Spreadbury the other touch-judge. The television match official is Iain Ramage of Scotland.

Compiled by John O'Sullivan