Ireland's opening encounter against England offers up a chance to avenge last year's defeat by Steve Borthwick's side at Twickenham, which denied the Irish a second consecutive Grand Slam.

"We've got England at home first which sharpens the mind definitely so it's hard to look too far beyond them," explained the Leinster back-rower.

"Momentum is so big in this competition that if you don't get the first game right you're kind of trying to play catch-up. So it's all about England and preparing as best as possible for that game.

"There's a lot of belief within the group but there's also the feeling that we can improve a tonne still."

Doris is eager to atone for the disappointment of the agonising 23-22 reverse suffered against England last March.

"I don't think we were quite there defensively. They've got very dangerous ball carriers, but the number of missed tackles for us, for me personally, wasn't where we are capable of being definitely," Doris said.

"Our attack, it felt like in the first half we didn't fire a whole lot of shots, then we started the second half well, ended up leading.

"Even though some of England's results hadn't gone too well prior to that game we were aware that they were a quality team. You rewind only six months from that game and they were in a semi-final of the World Cup."

Gatland says he will aim to ignore external criticism.

"It's been about creating some positivity," said Gatland.

"It is almost like creating a siege mentality and realising there is a lot of negativity and criticism from outside towards myself and the coaches and the players.

"We need to put some confidence back in and create that self-belief. It's about bonding and working hard as a group.

"The messaging is to try and get rid of that negativity, don't let social media take over too much of what is being said externally.

"Sometimes it creates a bond within a group with some positive momentum going into the tournament."

Gatland says patience is needed as Wales build towards the 2027 World Cup.

"We have stated we are building towards 2027," said Gatland.

"It is going to take a bit of time when you lose so much experience and have youngsters now.

"We have a young group we are trying to build with.

"For this tournament, we have players like Taulupe Faletau, Josh Adams and Daf Jenkins back and they are going to make a big difference to us.

"It is a British and Irish Lions year, so that is something for the players to be excited for."

NEW YORK -- Igor Shesterkin made 20 saves en route to a shutout, and even entered into a fight behind his own net in the third period, as the New York Rangers blanked the Ottawa Senators 5-0 on Tuesday night.

With 12:51 remaining in the game and New York leading 3-0, a scrum ensued in front of Shesterkin's net, centered around Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk. Shesterkin appeared injured as he knelt in his crease while the scrum gravitated toward the boards. About halfway through the fracas, however, Shesterkin leaped to his skates and charged after Tkachuk before the former Vezina Trophy winner was greeted by a left hand from the fiery Senator.

"I just got a couple punches from Tkachuk," Shesterkin said with a laugh after the win. "To be honest, there was a hit on me [before the whistle], and I didn't really enjoy it. ... So, I just wanted to go over and hold him, and if he wanted to fight, it's tough for me, because I cannot drop my gloves."

Rangers forward Matt Rempe, who is known for fighting and has no problem dropping his gloves, was a part of the mix behind the net, as well.

"I was a little nervous because I don't want anything to happen to him," Rempe said of seeing his goaltender involved in the scrap. "But I love it because he's a competitor, and I just wanted to make sure I get in there and nothing happens to him."

Rangers coach Peter Laviolette enjoyed the moment, as well, telling reporters after the win, "That's hockey, man."

Alexis Lafreniere had a goal and an assist in the New York win, and Arthur Kaliyev, Rempe, Artemi Panarin and Will Cuylle also scored. The Rangers are now 7-1-3 since Jan. 2 and have won three straight at home. The shutout was Shesterkin's third this season and the 18th of his career.

Lafreniere beat Ottawa netminder Leevi Merilainen for his 13th goal at 18:48 of the first. Kaliyev made it 2-0 at 1:50 of the middle period with his second goal as a Ranger since being claimed off waivers from Los Angeles on Jan. 6.

Kaliyev appeared to score again at 4:59 but the goal was waved off for offside. Rangers forward Sam Carrick had a goal negated for the same reason just before Lafreniere's goal.

Anton Forsberg replaced Merilainen in net for Ottawa after the challenge on Kaliyev's play. Merilainen made 14 saves before his departure. Forsberg finished with 10 saves.

Rempe scored his first this season at 3:34 of the third, depositing a backhand past Forsberg. Panarin made it 4-0 with his 20th goal on the power play at 9:01 before Cuylle completed the scoring at 9:57.

The Senators entered the contest on a 5-0-1 stretch in their past six games.

"We've been playing some good hockey," Ottawa coach Travis Green said. "But we weren't good enough to win [tonight]. We fought the puck all night; we weren't good enough with the puck."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Washington Capitals goalie Logan Thompson said he was distracted by a tray of cheese-covered nachos thrown on the ice while Oilers winger Corey Perry scored on him in Edmonton on Tuesday night.

"That's a first," said Capitals coach Spencer Carbery, whose team hung on for a 3-2 win. "We just talked about that in the coaches' office. I don't think I've ever seen a nachos-on-the-ice National Hockey League game. Did they save them? Maybe we can bring them into the locker room."

Less than five minutes into the third period, the Oilers skated into the Capitals' zone with the nachos already having been tossed onto the ice by a fan. Center Leon Draisaitl passed the puck to Perry, who blasted a shot a few feet away from the concessions tray, beating Thompson to cut the deficit to 3-2.

The Capitals goalie immediately started pointing at the nachos with his glove while complaining to the on-ice officials. Some of his teammates joined in the protest.

"I've never seen that before. Obviously, I've got to play to the whistle. That one's on me," said Thompson, who made 30 saves in the win.

"I didn't even notice them, and then guys were yelling, 'There's nachos on the ice!'" Carbery said. "I was like, 'I don't know, can we challenge that?'"

Rule 63.5, which covers objects thrown onto the ice and spectator interference, states: "In the event that objects are thrown on the ice that interfere with the progress of the game, the referee shall blow the whistle and stop the play and the puck shall be faced-off at a face-off spot in the zone nearest to the spot where play is stopped."

The nachos didn't interfere with the Oilers' skaters.

"I didn't even see them," Perry said. "I was focused on the play."

Carbery said he didn't believe there was much the officials could have done on the play. Thompson said he wasn't sure whether the rulebook covered his dilemma, and he reiterated that he just needed to play to the whistle.

"I saw the guy that threw them. Wasn't too happy. But credit to him. He got them a goal," Thompson said.

The Capitals goalie improved to an incredible 22-2-3 this season for the league's top team. He helped Washington kill a 6-on-4 power play in the final two minutes of the game for Edmonton, which was without Connor McDavid as the star center served a three-game suspension for cross-checking.

"In true Caps fashion, he delivers when we need a big save. When we need to preserve the win, he delivers," Carbery said of Thompson.

Or, to put it another way: Logan Thompson told the Edmonton Oilers it was nacho night.

The Professional Women's Hockey League Players Association on Wednesday announced the hiring of Malaika Underwood to take over as executive director starting in March.

Underwood has 20 years of experience as a sports consultant and working with numerous players associations, while specializing in brand marketing and licensing initiatives. She will replace Brian Burke, who viewed his role as the PWHLPA's head as temporary when the league launched some 18 months ago.

"From day one, it was imperative that the union find long-term leadership capable of sustaining and building on what the players have fought to create," Burke said in a statement. "Malaika Underwood is that leader. Her vision, expertise, and commitment to players make her the perfect choice. I am excited to support her transition into this role and look forward to seeing women's hockey continue to thrive."

The 69-year-old Burke is a long-time booster of women's hockey while previously serving in various roles as an NHL executive for numerous teams.

Underwood's hiring comes two months into the PWHL's second season and as the six-team league seeks to expand by as many as two franchises by next season. The PWHL is centrally controlled with all teams operated by the league and financially backed by Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter.

The PWHLPA is a separate entity representing the players who helped launch the league by approving an eight-year collective bargaining agreement in June 2023.

The PWHLPA said Underwood's duties will include protecting players' rights and focus on "sustainable growth, empowering the union's membership, and building strategic partnerships to elevate professional women's hockey and the athletes who drive its success."

Though she has no previous ties to hockey, Underwood most recently served as a partner at High Tide Consulting, where she advised sports organizations, governing bodies and brands on strategic initiatives, the PWHLPA said. Previously, Underwood served as interim CEO of OneTeam Partners, which represented the commercial interests of numerous players associations, including those representing NFL, MLB, NWSL players.

"When I think about the players of the PWHL, I see trailblazers who have achieved historic milestones and redefined what's possible in professional women's sports," Underwood said. "I'm committed to amplifying their voices, protecting their rights, and celebrating their contributions to the game."

Bayer Leverkusen winger Jeremie Frimpong has apologised for kicking a bouquet of flowers laid ceremonially by the pitch at Atlético Madrid's Metropolitano stadium, saying he got "carried away with excitement."

Visitors Leverkusen went ahead in the 46th minute in Tuesday's Champions League game through defender Piero Hincapié, and as Frimpong went to join his celebrating teammates, he kicked the flowers, angering the home fans and Atlético's players.

The flowers have been placed by a corner flag at Atlético's stadium -- now the Metropolitano, and previously the Vicente Calderón -- since 1996 by fan Margarita Luengo, as a tribute to club legend Milinko Pantic, who was famed for his corner deliveries.

"After the game yesterday, I learned about the tradition of the bouquet of flowers at the Metropolitano," Frimpong posted on X on Wednesday. "I didn't know about it and at the time of the goal, I got carried away with excitement and I made a mistake. Sorry to Atletico's fans, and especially to Margarita."

Frimpong's actions led to angry scenes on pitch, as Atlético defender José María Giménez sought to confront him. Atletico then fought back to win the match 2-1, with Julián Álvarez scoring twice, including a dramatic 90th minute winner.

Luengo first placed four carnations by the pitch in January 1996, in a game which saw Atlético beat Athletic Club 4-1, ensuring the act became a tradition, with a bouquet of flowers laid by the corner flag for every home game, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Creative midfielder Pantic starred for Atlético in the 1995-96 season, which was one of the most successful in the club's history, winning a league and cup double.

MANCHESTER, England -- Ruben Amorim has said he regrets saying his Manchester United team might be the worst in the club's history and insisted he was pointing the finger of blame at himself rather than his players.

Amorim made the comment in the aftermath of the 3-1 defeat to Brighton on Sunday.

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, the 39-year-old clarified his statement.

But he went on to say he would be "delusional" if he didn't acknowledge that he has significant problems after a run of seven defeats from his 15 games in charge.

"First of all, I want to talk about that," Amorim began after being asked about his suggestion that this is the worst United team in history.

"I was talking more about myself than the players. I also said in the same response that I was not helping my players. If you look around every time I speak and every time you push about the players are not good enough, I never put the spot on my players.

"So I understand I give you that headline and I am frustrated sometimes. Sometimes I should not say it in those terms, but it is what it is and that's it.

"Sometimes it's really hard to hide the frustration in the moment. But the good thing is I said the same things in a different way in the dressing room five minutes before. The response was quite normal because I'm really blunt with my players."

Amorim changed his normal routine after the defeat to Brighton, addressing his players in the dressing room immediately afterwards rather than waiting until the next day to hold his debrief.

There have been reports that the former Sporting CP coach was so angry that he damaged a TV.

"I'm a young guy and sometimes I make a mistake," Amorim said. "And that's why I don't [usually] talk after the game. This game, I needed to talk and maybe it was a mistake and then I get more nervous and go to the [news] conference really nervous and say things I shouldn't say, that's it. Sometimes I'm a young guy and I make mistakes.

"I'm saying the obvious. If you want, I can be delusional and say different things. I said to the players and I said to you, I think it's a good thing to be really honest with you."

United face Rangers in the Europa League at Old Trafford on Thursday having lost four of their last five home games.

During the run, Amorim's team have put in good performances at Liverpool and Arsenal and he accepts that, at the moment, his players are finding it easier to play away from home.

"I could say different things and say no, no, it's the same thing, we have the support of the fans," he said.

"No, we are more nervous playing at home than away. We lost four games in five, so it's getting harder. But we can improve. If we don't suffer the first goal like in the fourth minute, 10th minute or 15th minute, it's really hard to calm down the team.

"The first thing in my mind is they cannot score, we need to score the first one. If we score the first one I think that will change and we will improve. It is really clear. We are really anxious, especially playing at home. It's getting harder for everyone to play at Old Trafford."

United have conceded the first goal in their last five games at Old Trafford against Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Newcastle, Southampton and Brighton.

They've also conceded first against Arsenal, FC Viktoria Plzen, Manchester City, Tottenham and Wolves since the start of December.

"The first goal against Forest was a set play and against Bournemouth, these aren't things that are tactical, they're about being focused," Harry Maguire said. "We're not mentally focused to make sure we go the whole way. We know things can turn, tomorrow [against Rangers] is an opportunity to get a win and then go into Sunday [against Fulham]."