The present invention resides in a refractory composition for use as a cold start slag band. The composition comprises an admixture of partially stabilised zirconia and/or fully stabilised zirconia and monoclinic zirconia, characterised in that the proportion of monoclinic relative to the total zirconia content is at least 40% by weight. The invention also resides in a slag band formed from the composition, a submerged entry nozzle incorporating the slag band and a method of forming such a submerged entry nozzle.