Harlequins second row Stephan Lewies has signed a contract extension, having previously considered retiring from rugby union because of injuries.

The South African, 32, has been with Quins for six seasons and has made 76 appearances for the club.

Im excited to extend my stay, he said.

It was a dream come true when I first signed for Harlequins and to continue that journey makes me and my family very happy."

Lewies added: Last season, it came to a stage where I was close to hanging up my boots after dealing with multiple injuries, and I didnt feel like I played to the standards I hold myself to.

But Ive worked hard, had a good pre-season and Im enjoying my rugby this year.

As a review - one of several currently ongoing within the WRU - seeks to look at how the contract row could have been better handled, the players have already been consulted over who they want as Wales head coach.

I would like someone that has experience in the womens game," Wales flanker Alisha Joyce-Butchers told The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby podcast.

"We spoke about Simon Middleton and a couple of the PWR coaches. Sean Lynn [Gloucester-Hartpury] is Welsh, would he come? Same with Dave Ward [Bristol Bears] and Alex Austerberry [Saracens].

If we can get the right appointment in that role, we can thrive as a squad, I truly believe that.

But former Wales fly-half Elinor Snowsill disagrees.

I dont think we should limit ourselves to just coaches who have coached in the womens game as long as theyre emotionally intelligent to be able to apply their knowledge to a different playing group, thats the important thing," she said.

Wayne Smith [New Zealand] and John Mitchell [England], as far as Im aware, didnt have any previous experience in the womens game but are having success."

Arnold has been one of Newcastle's stand-out performers this season since the Irishman arrived from French second-tier side Brive in the summer.

While understanding that injuries are part of the game, Diamond is unhappy at the manner in which Arnold has been ruled out of his plans.

"The game is hard enough as it is without doing things like that," he said.

"The young lad was frustrated, they're losing a game they're not expecting to lose and in the 80th minute, he's seen an easy target and effectively smashed his (Arnold's) knee.

"It looks dreadful on the video. There was everything wrong about it, coming in from the side, targeting the knee. It's frustrating."

Maher's arrival is seen as a major coup for Bears.

The 28-year-old, who won bronze with the USA at this summer's Paris Olympics, is the most followed rugby player on the planet.

The Vermont native has 4.5 million followers on Instagram and 3.2 million on TikTok which Ward believes will help showcase his side and the rest of the league to a wider audience.

"I think everybody agrees the RFU, the PWR have supported her visa applications and rightly so, it's for the good of the game," Ward added.

"You walk into the building and it's to inspire the community for rugby's success. If this is getting eyes on the girls what they're doing, and I get to see it day in day out, I want more people to see it, I want more people in Bristol to see it and I want more people around the world to see it.

"If it does get more eyeballs on it, then all the better for me."

If she is not ready for the Gloucester-Hartpury game, Maher's Premiership debut could be on 12 January when Bears visit Exeter.

Bristol are fourth in the PWR on 25 points and face league leaders Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.

If Farrell is able to take his time over selecting his playing squad, his coaching ticket is slightly more urgent, with negotiations to be done between the Lions and the various unions or clubs to ensure release from their contracts.

In theory, Farrell has countless coaches to choose from as he looks to assemble a dream backroom team. The reality is a little different.

England boss Steve Borthwick a key man in 2017 and wanted by Gatland again in 2021 is not available.

Gregor Townsend, an assistant in South Africa three years ago and a Lions hero as a player, is expected to take his Scotland side on their summer tour. Ireland defence coach Simon Easterby is stepping into Farrell's shoes.

Other big names have been touted.

Ronan O'Gara, three times a Lions tourist and a serial winner as a coach, would be a brilliant coup for Farrell, but it is inconceivable he would be released by La Rochelle for the business end of the Top 14 season.

It is even more unlikely Shaun Edwards would be released by France with Les Bleus going on tour to New Zealand next July.

Therefore Farrell's team will predominantly come from those currently coaching at the home unions.

Scotland defence coach Steve Tandy, England attack coach Richard Wigglesworth, and exiled England coach Felix Jones who by next summer will be a free agent are all prime contenders.

So too is Ireland forwards coach O'Connell, a man who toured with distinction in 2005, 2009 and 2013. O'Connell was in the mix to go as a coach last time around, but lacked experience at the highest level at the time, something that is not an issue four years on.

Another man in the Ireland set-up, strength and conditioning guru Aled Walters, feels a certainty.

In January Farrell will lead a Lions delegation to Australia for a reconnaissance trip, before the start of his ultimate scouting mission, the Six Nations.

But first he will take a few weeks to get his feet under the table, aided by his Sandymount home being a stone's throw from Lions headquarters in Ballsbridge, and says he will not rush to make the big calls.

"Obviously there is a bit of planning that needs to happen," he said.

"I am going to give myself a little bit of space to get across all that. If you get things done too early, you can't undo them. So a little bit of patience and now I'll have a bit of time to be able to hopefully see the path as it should be."

SEATTLE -- Whether it's at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, or another future international tournament, there's a possibility that Hockey Canada could call upon Seattle Kraken goalie Joey Daccord.

Daccord, who is 10-6-1 with a 2.56 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage, has been floated as an option for Canada ahead of the 4 Nations event. The idea that Daccord could play for Canada is a topic that has raised questions about his eligibility.

It's also not the first time another nation has inquired about the Massachusetts native's international status.

The 28-year-old, who was born and grew up in greater Boston, is an American citizen who also holds Canadian and Swiss citizenship. His parents were born outside of the United States, with his father growing up in Canada and his mother growing up in Switzerland. Daccord told ESPN in early November that he has official documentation from all three nations.

So which team can he represent at the 4 Nations Face-Off -- and the 2026 Olympics? Well, it's a little complicated.

THE INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION, the sport's international governing body, confirmed to ESPN in an email in late November that the 28-year-old would be eligible to play for Canada if he chooses.

"If Daccord meets the eligibility requirements for a country of which he has citizenship, and has not previously represented a different country, then he would be eligible to choose," the IIHF wrote in its email to ESPN. "That is applicable to all players with dual citizenship."

IIHF rules state players with more than two legal citizenships seeking to participate either in an IIHF men's championships or a men's Olympic competition must prove they have played in a league competition for more than 16 consecutive months -- two hockey seasons -- after their 10th birthday for the nation in which they seek eligibility.

Those guidelines also declare that if a men's player is transferring their citizenship that they must have that approved by the IIHF at least 16 months or 480 days prior to their proposed participation.

Daccord left Arizona State after his junior season and signed a professional contract with the Ottawa Senators. He lived in Canada for two seasons, spending the 2019-20 season with the Sens' AHL and ECHL affiliates, the Belleville Senators and Brampton Beast, which are both in Canada. He also played the 2020-21 season with Belleville and Ottawa.

He has never represented the U.S. in any capacity at an IIHF-sanctioned event in his career. That means he's currently eligible to be an option for either nation until he plays a game for one of them at what is considered to be an official IIHF event.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told ESPN in an email Monday that the NHL and the NHL Players Association, as the 4 Nations Face-Off's organizers, could consider any player's potential eligibility subject to their "unique facts and circumstances." Daly said that the league wasn't aware of Daccord's exact circumstances because "there has not, to this point, been a need to investigate the reason," while adding they would "look at all the facts and make an appropriate decision" if that were to change.

Daly was asked if the NHL has any eligibility rules for the 4 Nations Face-Off or if the league was going to use IIHF guidelines. Daly said while the NHL wouldn't consider itself bound by the IIHF rules, he did say, "I imagine we would focus on a lot of the same factors that the IIHF finds relevant."

"Nobody has asked me about anything. Nobody has talked to me about anything," Daccord said in November when asked by ESPN if he's heard from Hockey Canada. "Switzerland has looked into it, but as far as I know, they were told no because I've never played or lived over there."

Since the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off is an NHL/NHLPA event that is not sanctioned by the IIHF, Daccord could hypothetically play for the U.S. or Canada and still have the freedom to change his mind ahead of playing in one of those IIHF events.

Daccord told ESPN that the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation, the governing body for the Swiss national team, has been in conversations with him since he was 17. In the past, Daccord has talked about his Swiss heritage as he has the Swiss flag along with the flags of Canada and the U.S. on the backplate of his mask.

The Swiss Federation reached out to him a little more than a year ago to explore the possibility of Daccord playing for them in the 2026 Olympics if he was cleared by the IIHF. Daccord said that he told Switzerland he was open to the idea, but would not commit.

If Daccord had been eligible and agreed to represent Switzerland, he would have joined a nation that's currently fifth in the IIHF rankings, and has NHL players such as Nico Hischier, Kevin Fiala, Roman Josi, Timo Meier and Nino Niederreiter likely leading the team in 2026.

Would Daccord take the same approach if Hockey Canada reached out about him playing for them?

"I'm not sure. It's something I'd really have to think about," Daccord said. "I don't really know."

CANADA IS ENTERING the 4 Nations Face-Off as the favorite to win the tournament. Led by superstars such as Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, it's a roster that has some of the game's strongest options at defense and forward. But the state of Canada's goaltending has come under question -- especially when compared to other nations.

The goaltenders that Canada could use at the 4 Nations Face-Off include Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill, Darcy Kuemper, Sam Montembeault, Stuart Skinner, Cam Talbot and Logan Thompson. Binnington, Hill, Kuemper, Montembault, Talbot and Thompson have all represented Canada at the IIHF world championships. Montembeault and Talbot each won more than six games in the respective years they helped Canada capture gold.

By comparison, the U.S. has reigning Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck (who also won in 2020) as part of a U.S. goaltending group that could include Thatcher Demko, Jake Oettinger or Jeremy Swayman. Demko, who is yet to play this season while recovering from an injury, is a two-time All-Star that was the Vezina runner-up last season, whereas Oettinger is on pace for his fourth straight 30-win season.

Finland is expected to be led by Juuse Saros, a Vezina finalist in 2022, and could also take Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Kevin Lankinen, among others. Sweden could take the trio of Filip Gustavsson, Jacob Markstrom and Linus Ullmark, with the latter winning the Vezina in 2023. Markstrom was also a finalist in 2022.

As for Daccord, his rise has been gradual. A seventh-round pick in 2015, Daccord spent three years with the Senators organization until he was selected in 2020 by the Kraken in the expansion draft. He spent the majority of his first two seasons in the Kraken's organization playing for their AHL affiliate, and then became a full-time NHL player in the 2023-24 season.

Daccord won 19 games while posting a 2.46 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage in 50 games. He finished sixth in GAA and save percentage among goalies with more than 25 games played. Unfortunately, the Kraken averaged the fourth fewest goals per game that season, which played a role in why they missed the playoffs after reaching the postseason in 2022-23.

The 2024-25 season has been a continuation of what Daccord did last season, with Daccord starting the week with a 5.9 goals saved above expected, according to MoneyPuck. That was 10th in the NHL, whereas Talbot was fifth (10.1), Thompson was ninth (6.5), Hill was 27th (1.9), Binnington was 37th (0.6), Montembeault was 43rd (-0.7) and Skinner was 75th (-8.2).

"I've never really been asked to play for a country at any level or any age, so, I've never had that situation come up," Daccord said. "Obviously, it's an incredible honor to play for your country. I feel blessed and grateful that I have three different nationalities and come from a diverse family background. ... I feel strongly about all three nations, and would definitely feel proud to represent any of them on the international level."

In lieu of having an All-Star Game this season, the NHL and NHLPA are staging the 4 Nations Face-Off, which will run Feb. 12-20. This is a round-robin tournament that will feature four national teams -- Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States -- with NHL players from those nations filling rosters.

What's the schedule and format for the tournament? Who is on the rosters? What are the players saying? And what does it mean for the 2026 Olympic Games?

Read on for answers to those questions and more, courtesy of Ryan S. Clark, Kristen Shilton and Greg Wyshynski.

What is the format and rules of the tournament?

Each team will play three games, with the top two teams playing in a winner-take-all final. Teams will receive three points for a win in regulation, two points for an overtime or shootout win, one point for an overtime or shootout loss and zero points for a loss in regulation.

Overtime will be a 10-minute, 3-on-3 sudden-death period. If the game is not decided in OT, there will be a three-round shootout. Once the tournament reaches the final game, overtime will be held in the more traditional playoff format, with 5-on-5 play in consecutive 20-minute periods. -- Clark

Where are the games being held?

The 4 Nations Face-Off will be held in North America, splitting games between Bell Centre in Montreal and TD Garden in Boston.

Initially, the proposed format for the midseason tournament would have had the U.S. and Canada play two games in North America, while Sweden and Finland would play two games in either of those two nations. The winners of those matchups, either by points or aggregate goals, would face the second-best team from the other matchup -- most likely in North America. The winners of those semifinals would then meet for the tournament championship, leaving open the possibility that the U.S. and Canada could meet in that final game.

But the logistics and schedule for the tournament proved too difficult for something that adventurous. There's no semifinal round anymore. Instead of a global staging, it's being held between two Original Six hockey markets.

There are four games held at Bell Centre, including a rivalry doubleheader:

Wednesday, Feb. 12: Canada vs. Sweden (8 p.m. ET)
Thursday, Feb. 13: USA vs. Finland (8 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 15: Finland vs. Sweden (1 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 15: USA vs. Canada (8 p.m.)

There are three games scheduled for TD Garden:

Monday, Feb. 17: Canada vs. Finland (1 p.m.)
Monday, Feb. 17: Sweden vs. USA (8 p.m.)
Thursday, Feb. 20: Championship Game (8 p.m.)

The possibility is there for the U.S. and Canada to meet in both cities, including for the championship. -- Wyshynski

Why only four nations? And why these four?

In a word, practicality. The NHL is putting the 4 Nations tournament together on its own and not in concert with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), whereas the league and IIHF do have a partnership that's bringing NHL players back to the Olympics in 2026 and 2030.

For this tournament, there are only four countries represented because there must be enough NHL skaters to complete each roster. That's why Germany, for example, isn't involved. The Czech Republic and Russia both technically have the NHL representation to craft a team, but the league will not have a Russian squad involved because of its war with Ukraine.

The league choosing to go with Canada, the USA, Sweden and Finland means their event incorporates the largest number of NHL stars for now, and in time -- if all goes well -- the NHL will get more players and countries in the mix. -- Shilton

When was the last time there was a best-on-best international tournament with NHL players?

The year was 2016, and the event was the World Cup of Hockey. The tournament was started in 1996, and staged again in 2004 before it returned in 2016.

The 2016 edition included eight teams total, including national teams from Canada, Czechia, Finland, Russia, Sweden and the USA. There was also a Team Europe -- for players from nations such as Germany, Switzerland and Slovakia that didn't have full rosters -- while the tournament also introduced Team North America. The roster for Team North America featured under-24 talent from Canada and the United States, including future superstars such as Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews and Connor Hellebuyck.

The 16-game tournament was ultimately won by Canada, beating Team Europe in a best-of-three format. -- Clark

What are the players saying about it?

The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.

"It's great for the game of hockey," Canadian forward Connor Bedard told ESPN. "Great for everyone to see the best players in each country going against each other. It's going to be awesome and people are going to love watching."

"It's going to be incredible for fans and players," U.S. defenseman Brock Faber said. "It's best-on-best, which hasn't happened in a while, and that's going to be so cool."

While the younger contingency of NHL skaters might have many opportunities to represent their countries, for some league veterans this 4 Nations event could be their best shot at such a chance.

"I would love to play in it," U.S. defenseman John Carlson said. "To represent your country is cool; it's a different animal than what we're used to. And it's fun to play against some of your teammates, play with some of your opponents. And obviously I think it'll be awesome for the game of hockey." -- Shilton

Are there some players who aren't raving about it?

While many players understand why the 4 Nations Face-Off exists, it doesn't change the fact that it's just four nations.

The World Cup of Hockey was more all-encompassing, to the point where the tournament had Team Europe, just to get those players whose national teams didn't make the cut into the spotlight.

Russia and Czech Republic were both in the World Cup, and are not in the 4 Nations. In the case of the latter, at least one star player feels like his nation should have gotten an invite. Boston Bruins star David Pastrnak led Czechia to an IIHF world championship this year. After winning the title, he posted a photo of himself holding the trophy with the caption: "Maybe Four Nation invite now?"

Pastrnak called exclusion a "huge disappointment," but said he could understand that there was a limited time and parameter to putting the 4 Nations tournament together.

Wait till 2026, Pasta. -- Wyshynski

What does the winning country get?

There will be a trophy for the tournament champion, which is in the final stages of design. The plan is for only the winning team to receive medals, but there hasn't been too much discussion about that yet behind the scenes.

As of this week, it's clear the players will be compensated but the dollar amounts have not been determined.

It's unclear if there is bonus money for the winning teams, but that doesn't mean there aren't financial incentives for making this tournament a success. Like the World Cup of Hockey, this tournament is an NHL and NHLPA presentation. The players will get a split of the profits, which will then be split among NHLPA members. The New York Post reported in 2016 that there was a 70-30 revenue split between players who played in the World Cup and those that did not. -- Wyshynski

Who is on the rosters?

The teams announced an initial group of six players each in June:

Canada: Cale Makar (D, Avalanche); Sidney Crosby (F, Penguins); Nathan MacKinnon (F, Avalanche); Brad Marchand (F, Bruins); Connor McDavid (F, Oilers); Brayden Point (F, Lightning)

Finland: Juuse Saros (G, Predators); Miro Heiskanen (D, Stars); Esa Lindell (D, Stars); Sebastian Aho (F, Hurricanes); Aleksander Barkov (F, Panthers); Mikko Rantanen (F, Avalanche)

Sweden: Gustav Forsling (D, Panthers); Victor Hedman (D, Lightning); Erik Karlsson (D, Penguins); Filip Forsberg (F, Predators); William Nylander (F, Maple Leafs); Mika Zibanejad (F, Rangers)

United States: Adam Fox (D, Rangers); Quinn Hughes (D, Canucks); Charlie McAvoy (D, Bruins); Jack Eichel (F, Golden Knights); Auston Matthews (F, Maple Leafs); Matthew Tkachuk (F, Panthers)

The full rosters will be announced Wednesday. -- ESPN Staff

What does all of this mean for the Olympic Games, and future tournaments?

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman called the 4 Nations tournament "a bit of an appetizer" for the Olympics and World Cup events. The league hasn't shut down and allowed its skaters to participate in an Olympics since the 2014 Games in Sochi (meaning players missed out on the 2018 and 2022 showcases).

Top NHLers like Connor McDavid have been championing a return to the Olympics, and finally the league acquiesced and partnered with the IIHF to make that happen in 2026 and 2030. The plan is for the NHL to put on 4 Nations in February, go to the Milan Games in 2026, hold a World Cup in 2028, represent at the 2030 Games and then host another World Cup in 2032. The 2034 Winter Games will be hosted by Salt Lake City.

This tournament is a precursor to all of that, and it should be engaging for fans and give players a taste for that best-on-best style of play, which many haven't experienced since the NHL last put on a World Cup in 2016. -- Shilton

Ruud van Nistelrooy was disappointed to leave Manchester United after his successful spell as interim coach came to an end but the Dutchman said he understands why new manager Ruben Amorim wanted to bring his own assistants into the club.

Van Nistelrooy, who was appointed Leicester City manager at the end of last month, went unbeaten in his four games in charge at United following Erik ten Hag's dismissal, having previously served as his compatriot's assistant.

"I was disappointed, yeah, very much so, and it hurt that I had to leave," he told reporters on Monday.

"The only job I would take as an assistant was at United because of the bond that I have with the people in the club and the fans. But in the end I got my head round it because I also understand the new manager.

"I spoke to Ruben Amorim about it, the conversation was grateful, man to man, manager to manager, and that helped a lot to move on and straightaway get into talks with new possibilities which lifted my spirits."

Van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals in a highly successful five-year stint at United before moving to Real Madrid but the former striker said he has the battling qualities to help 16th-placed Leicester avoid relegation.

"People see Real Madrid, Manchester United, but my first three seasons as a professional were in Dutch football with FC Den Bosch, so I know what it's like to fight," he added.

Leicester host West Ham United in the Premier League on Tuesday.

Mikel Arteta has said Ruben Amorim has already put his "fingerprints" on Manchester United but warned of the unpredictability of management as he tries to restore the club to former glories.

Arsenal host United at the Emirates on Wednesday and will hope to end Amorim's three-game unbeaten run since he left Sporting CP to replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

Amorim has deployed a 3-5-2 system with United and Sunday's 4-0 win over Everton was their biggest victory of the season.

Arteta said: "You can see his fingerprints in what he wants to do straight away. He's been very clear with what he wants to do.

"What he did with Sporting was remarkable after so many years. Especially the way he did it and the way his teams are playing. It brings energy to a new club and the players which is always positive. But we have to focus on what we're doing."

Amorim takes the role aged 39, two years older than Arteta was when he became Arsenal boss in December 2019. Arteta instigated a radical overhaul of the playing staff, taking them back into the Champions League after a six-year absence as well as challenging for the Premier League in the past two seasons.

Asked what lessons there are from taking over a big club aged in his late-thirties as Amorim has, Arteta replied: "How unpredictable this job is. I jumped into a new job in the middle of the season in very special circumstances socially.

"Then we got hit by COVID. You can plan whatever you want but football brings different things and you have to deal with it. Take it as it comes and deal with it."

Arsenal will make late calls on the fitness of Thomas Partey, Mikel Merino, Gabriel Magalhães and Riccardo Calafiori at a team meeting later on Tuesday.

Partey and Merino missed Sunday's 5-2 win at West Ham with muscular and knee problems, respectively while Gabriel was substituted at half-time with a muscular issue.

Calafiori left the field at London Stadium on the hour mark as his minutes are managed having recently returned from a knee injury.

Carlo Ancelotti has backed Kylian Mbappé for not taking a penalty kick for Real Madrid against Getafe on Sunday -- allowing Jude Bellingham to score instead -- calling the decision "a great act of altruism."

Mbappé was under pressure to find the net at the Bernabéu after managing just two goals in his nine previous games, and missing a spot kick against Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League four days earlier.

When Madrid were awarded a penalty in the 30th minute, Mbappé turned down the opportunity, signalling that Bellingham -- who is Madrid's other regular taker, alongside the injured Vinícius Júnior -- should take it instead.

Bellingham converted to open the scoring, and then Mbappé added a second eight minutes later to complete a 2-0 victory.

"Bellingham or Mbappé, one of the two, whoever's in best condition," Ancelotti said in a news conference on Tuesday, when asked who'd step up if Madrid get a penalty away at Athletic Club the next day.

"This isn't a debate. There are two sides to it. [What] Mbappé [did] against Getafe, you might see it as insecurity, or you might see it as we do, an act of responsibility and altruism... He's a player with extraordinary talent, he might be the biggest talent in football, and he puts that [at the service of] the team. I value that a lot, personally."

Mbappé's performances have been scrutinised in recent weeks, although he's still managed eight goals in 13 LaLiga games so far this season.

Ancelotti denied one journalist's suggestion that his unwillingness to take a penalty against Getafe showed a lack of leadership or courage.

"I don't see it like that," Ancelotti said. "It's important for the team, his teammates, all of us, within the dressing room. We value it as I said before, a great act of altruism. When a great talent is altruistic, you're on the right track."

Bellingham also faced some criticism for an early-season goal drought, but the England star has now scored in his last three LaLiga games against Osasuna, Leganés and Getafe.

"A better dynamic in the team has allowed [Bellingham] to score goals again," Ancelotti said. "Jude's games have always been good. Now he's being more clinical, and we're better in possession, with more clarity.

"The individual improvement of players like Mbappé opens up spaces in the final third, and Jude has taken advantage of that. His position hasn't changed."

Madrid are one point behind league leaders Barcelona, who play away at Mallorca on Tuesday, before Madrid's trip to San Mamés to face Athletic.

Ancelotti confirmed that midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni had recovered from injury and was available to start.