Australia's brothels ready to ruck

Brothels are legal in some parts of Australia

Australia's brothels are gearing up for a steep rise in business around the Rugby World Cup.

With tens of thousands of foreign visitors expected for the month-long tournament, brothel owners are planning special events to lure fans of different nationalities.

Girls from a brothel called Stiletto greeted Argentina's squad when it arrived in Sydney with signs saying: "Care for a ruck?"

Robbie Swan, Media Director of The Eros Association, the trade body for Australia's adult entertainment industry, said brothels were gearing up after being surprised by demand during previous big get-togethers.

The upper classes in England, we know that they like spanking Robbie Swan, Media Director of The Eros Association

He said the 1994 World Council of Churches meeting in Canberra saw business increase by 250%.

"Since then brothels around Australia have tried to make hay while the sun shines," he told the BBC's World Today programme.

He said the Boardroom in Melbourne had decked itself out in the national colours of Italy and New Zealand, while the Daily Planet brothel was planning to lay on finger food.

Some brothels are also recruiting specialist talents.

"The upper classes in England, we know that they like spanking, for example," Mr Swan said.