Point guard Elfrid Payton has agreed to a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, his agent, Darrell Comer of Tandem, told ESPN.

Payton, the No. 10 pick in the 2014 draft, went to training camp with the Pelicans and rejoins the team after recent injuries to starting guards Dejounte Murray (fractured hand) and CJ McCollum (right adductor soreness). The Pelicans are without Murray, McCollum, Zion Williamson, Jose Alvarado, Jordan Hawkins and Herb Jones as they enter Wednesday night's game at the Cleveland Cavaliers. They have lost of eight of their past nine games.

Payton, 30, is entering his ninth NBA season and was a teammate with Pelicans coach Willie Green on the 2014-15 Orlando Magic. Payton played for the Pelicans in 2018-19, recording six triple-doubles on the season.

The Pelicans are waiving guard Jaylen Nowell to create roster space, sources said. A six-year NBA player, Nowell averaged 8.4 points and 2.3 assists in 21 minutes over seven games for the Pelicans.

Payton (6-foot-3) was named first-team All-Rookie in 2015 and has averaged 10.1 points, 5.7 assists and 4.0 rebounds in his career. He last played in 2021-22 for the Phoenix Suns, appearing in 50 games.

We're one month into the 2024-25 NBA season, and in just a few weeks a lot has unfolded in both conferences.

The second edition of the NBA Cup kicked off last week, once again unveiling some flashy courts. Group stage games will end Dec. 3 and knockout contests will start Dec. 10.

The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to hold the No.1 spot in the rankings despite having their 15-game win streak end after losing to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, in the wild West, the Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder are battling for No.1. The Houston Rockets have also ascended into the top of the conference, while the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets are struggling to stay above .500.

Can the Milwaukee Bucks find momentum? Will the Philadelphia 76ers eventually overcome their injuries? Let's check this week's power rankings to see where all 30 teams stack up.

Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN's Kendra Andrews, Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, Chris Herring and Kevin Pelton) think teams belong this season.

Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 30 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 13

Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

• 2024-25 record: 15-1

• Previous ranking: 1

• Next games: vs. NO (Nov. 20), vs. TOR (Nov. 24)

Cleveland's undefeated start ended in Boston on Tuesday -- losing a nail-biter 120-117 despite the Celtics being a plus-36 in 3-point scoring differential. Still, the Cavs can take a bow after notching their 15th win Nov. 17th. In LeBron James' last four seasons with the franchise, the quickest Cleveland reached 15 wins was Nov. 30th. -- Dave McMenamin

2. Golden State Warriors

• 2024-25 record: 10-3

• Previous ranking: 4

• Next games: vs. ATL (Nov. 20), @ NO (Nov. 22), @ SA (Nov. 23), vs. BKN (Nov. 25)

The Warriors have only lost three games this season -- two of them to the Clippers. This early-season success is a major feat for the Warriors given their dismal start to last season. The depth they were excited about heading into the year has proved to be legitimate as they've navigated some early-season injuries, and the defensive identity they wanted to rely on has been extremely strong. The one area that could be a concern are the Warriors' free throws -- missing 10 in their loss against the Clippers on Monday night. -- Kendra Andrews

3. Boston Celtics

• 2024-25 record: 12-3

• Previous ranking: 2

• Next games: @ WAS (Nov. 22), vs. MIN (Nov. 24), vs. LAC (Nov. 25)

The rich get richer. Not only does Boston continue to rattle off victories, taking down the undefeated Cavaliers on Tuesday, but Kristaps Porzingis practiced for the first time this season Monday. The Latvian center has yet to make his debut because of offseason ankle surgery but is on pace to potentially return within the next few weeks -- giving the defending champions not only another 3-point shooter, but an elite post-up threat to further diversify their offense. -- Tim Bontemps

4. Oklahoma City Thunder

• 2024-25 record: 11-4

• Previous ranking: 3

• Next games: vs. POR (Nov. 20), @ SAC (Nov. 25)

Luguentz Dort is proving that his 3-point shooting campaign last season wasn't an outlier. Dort is shooting a career-best 44.9% from 3-point range on the heels of shooting 39.4% last season, which was an uptick of more than six percentage points from the first four years of Dort's career. He's earned a reputation as an elite perimeter defender, so Dort's development as a shooter makes him one of the league's premier role players. -- Tim MacMahon

5. Houston Rockets

• 2024-25 record: 10-5

• Previous ranking: 10

• Next games: vs. IND (Nov. 20), vs. POR (Nov. 22), vs. POR (Nov. 23)

Pay attention. Off to their best 14-game start since 2019-20 after Sunday's win at Chicago, the Rockets are one of the hottest teams in the West. Houston hasn't lost consecutive games this season, and its suffocating defense appears to be improving as Alperen Sengun continues to develop on that end of the floor. The Rockets entered Tuesday with the third-best defensive rating in the league (105.2), and two bench players -- Amen Thompson and Tari Eason -- are arguably the most significant contributors to that and making strong cases to enter the starting lineup. -- Michael Wright

6. Denver Nuggets

• 2024-25 record: 8-5

• Previous ranking: 5

• Next games: vs. DAL (Nov. 22), @ LAL (Nov. 23), vs. NYK (Nov. 25)

The Nuggets already knew life without Nikola Jokic was very hard -- they are now 19-28 all time without the MVP. Jokic missed his third straight game at Memphis on Tuesday night due to personal reasons. Without Jokic, the Nuggets lost to an injury-decimated New Orleans squad and then lost by 15 in Memphis on Sunday, despite Ja Morant and Marcus Smart not playing. After scoring a combined 29 points in those first two games without Jokic, Jamal Murray led the Nuggets to a win over the Grizzlies on Tuesday with 27 points. Michael Malone said afterward the point guard's scoring struggles weren't solely on Murray, who also must make plays for teammates as well. "[But] if it's not him, you're asking some really young players to carry a load that they are probably not ready to carry," Malone said. -- Ohm Youngmisuk

7. Los Angeles Lakers

• 2024-25 record: 10-4

• Previous ranking: 11

• Next games: vs. ORL (Nov. 21), vs. DEN (Nov. 23), @ PHX (Nov. 26)

The Lakers will have an early litmus test this weekend to see how real their hot start is when they host the Nuggets. L.A. has lost 12 of its past 13 games against Denver, including two straight playoff boots. But there are a couple new characters added to the rivalry. Former Lakers guard Russell Westbrook is now suiting up for Denver, while L.A. has the dazzling Dalton Knecht coming off a 37-point performance Tuesday, when he tied the all-time rookie record with nine 3s. -- McMenamin

8. Phoenix Suns

• 2024-25 record: 9-6

• Previous ranking: 6

• Next games: vs. NYK (Nov. 20), vs. LAL (Nov. 26)

It's déjà vu in The Valley. After Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker managed to play just 41 games together last year, Phoenix is flailing because of its health once again. The Suns have gone 1-5 since Durant went out with a left calf strain, including 0-4 since Beal joined him on the bench with a similar injury. The Suns are in a homestretch, but it won't get any easier against playoff-worthy opponents in the Knicks, Lakers and Warriors over the next week. -- McMenamin

9. Orlando Magic

• 2024-25 record: 9-6

• Previous ranking: 17

• Next games: @ LAC (Nov. 20), @ LAL (Nov. 21), vs. DET (Nov. 23), @ CHA (Nov. 25)

Franz Wagner has been keeping the Magic afloat as they wait for several key players to get healthy, including Paolo Banchero, earning Eastern Conference Player of the Week accolades. During his past seven games, Wagner is averaging 27.4 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 46% from the floor. He scored 20 points in seven consecutive games, which ties the longest streak of his career. Orlando is the first team since December 2018 to hold its opponents to less than 100 points in six straight games. -- Andrews

10. Minnesota Timberwolves

• 2024-25 record: 8-6

• Previous ranking: 7

• Next games: @ TOR (Nov. 21), @ BOS (Nov. 24), vs. HOU (Nov. 26)

The Wolves are still looking to find their groove after making the conference finals last season, but new addition Julius Randle had a signature moment Sunday when he hit a game-winning, buzzer-beater to defeat the Suns. Randle has upped his efficiency since joining Minnesota this season, shooting 51% from the field, 38% from 3 (both higher marks than any of the past three seasons). After three days off, the Wolves begin a road trip through Toronto and Boston this week before returning home. -- Jamal Collier

11. Memphis Grizzlies

• 2024-25 record: 8-7

• Previous ranking: 8

• Next games: vs. PHI (Nov. 20), @ CHI (Nov. 23), vs. POR (Nov. 25)

Ja Morant (hip) remains week to week, but Memphis continues to flex a deep rotation that could prove beneficial as the season progresses. Jaren Jackson Jr. has scored 29 points or more in three of his past six games. Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane appear to be on the mend and have gradually worked their way into the mix by coming off the bench. When Memphis' starting group is totally back in the fold, expect reserves such as Scotty Pippen Jr., Jaylen Wells, Zach Edey and Santi Aldama to wreak havoc on opposing bench units. -- Wright

12. Dallas Mavericks

• 2024-25 record: 8-7

• Previous ranking: 9

• Next games: @ DEN (Nov. 22), @ MIA (Nov. 24), @ ATL (Nov. 25)

The Mavs went 1-4 in the stretch that forward P.J. Washington missed due to a sore knee. He made his presence felt in a major way in his second game back, setting season highs with 27 points and 17 rebounds in Sunday's road win over the Thunder. That served as a reminder of the critical role that Washington played in the Mavs' West semifinals win over the Thunder last season. Washington averaged 17.7 points and 8.3 rebounds in that series, when he shot 46.9% from 3-point range. -- MacMahon

13. New York Knicks

• 2024-25 record: 8-6

• Previous ranking: 12

• Next games: @ PHX (Nov. 20), @ UTAH (Nov. 23), @ DEN (Nov. 25)

Few players have been more offensively dynamic than Karl-Anthony Towns, who's enjoying career-best efficiency and rebound rates while spraying no-look passes all over from one game to the next. The downside? Teams are shooting 9.5 percentage points better than average within six feet of the basket when Towns is defending it, by far the NBA's worst rate for any center who's faced at least 50 such shots this season. -- Chris Herring

14. Sacramento Kings

• 2024-25 record: 8-7

• Previous ranking: 15

• Next games: @ LAC (Nov. 22), vs. BKN (Nov. 24), vs. OKC (Nov. 25)

The Kings are itching for Malik Monk, Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan to return, the latter two of whom could come back as soon as Friday. It's not that the wheels completely fell off for Sacramento while they've been sidelined -- De'Aaron Fox scored a combined 109 points over two games -- but there have been multiple close contests that they feel they could have won with their stars playing. The Kings struggled with clutch time games last season, and it was high on their list of things to address this season. -- Andrews

15. LA Clippers

• 2024-25 record: 8-7

• Previous ranking: 13

• Next games: vs. ORL (Nov. 20), vs. SAC (Nov. 22), @ PHI (Nov. 24), @ BOS (Nov. 25)

Without Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers have had to scrap for everything. But they've managed to hand the Warriors two of their three losses. Assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy's defense forced 19 turnovers that led to 31 points in Monday's win against Golden State. Head coach Ty Lue is figuring out how to manage Ivica Zubac's minutes. Mo Bamba's return in the past two games helps, and Lue has also inserted Kris Dunn into the starting lineup to ease James Harden's ballhandling and playmaking load. Terance Mann had his best game of the season Monday with 10 points, six assists and five rebounds off the bench. Until Leonard gets back, the Clippers will need to keep treading above .500. -- Youngmisuk

16. Indiana Pacers

• 2024-25 record: 6-8

• Previous ranking: 14

• Next games: @ HOU (Nov. 20), @ MIL (Nov. 22), vs. WAS (Nov. 24), vs. NO (Nov. 25)

After dropping a game to the Raptors to start the week, the Pacers will begin a 10-game stretch that could define their season and give themselves a chance to bounce back from a slow start. Indiana will face just two teams with a winning record during that span, beginning with Wednesday's game at Houston before an NBA Cup showdown and playoff rematch against Milwaukee. The Pacers will need to get its offense back into gear. After finishing second last season in offensive efficiency, they are currently ranked 14th. -- Collier

17. San Antonio Spurs

• 2024-25 record: 7-8

• Previous ranking: 18

• Next games: vs. UTAH (Nov. 21), vs. GS (Nov. 23), @ UTAH (Nov. 26)

On a two-game skid, San Antonio received a much-needed two-day break with star Victor Wembanyama listed as day-to-day due to a right knee contusion. Wembanyama's injury isn't considered serious, but he sat out Tuesday's victory against Oklahoma City. Second-leading scorer Devin Vassell is back in the lineup but coming off the bench for "the foreseeable future," according to interim coach Mitch Johnson. Rookie guard Stephon Castle has been a revelation on both ends, and veteran Chris Paul has dished nine-plus assists in five of his past six appearances. -- Wright

18. Miami Heat

• 2024-25 record: 6-7

• Previous ranking: 16

• Next games: vs. DAL (Nov. 24), vs. MIL (Nov. 26)

Jimmy Butler returned for Monday's come-from-behind victory over the 76ers, but the story of the Heat's season has been the play of Tyler Herro, who is averaging a career-high 24.2 points while shooting a career-best 45.2% from 3-point range on almost 10 attempts a night. If he can keep that up, it changes his and Miami's ceiling. -- Bontemps

19. Detroit Pistons

• 2024-25 record: 7-9

• Previous ranking: 25

• Next games: @ CHA (Nov. 21), @ ORL (Nov. 23), vs. TOR (Nov. 25)

Although the Pistons missed an opportunity to reach .500 by beating the Bulls at home Monday, they still have their best winning percentage (.438) at any point after the first 10 games of the season since last making the playoffs in 2018-19. Under new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, a young Detroit roster has made strides defensively, improving from 25th in defensive rating a year ago to the top 10 with largely the same core. The Pistons' opponent shot quality ranks seventh hardest in the league, per Second Spectrum's quantified shot quality measure. -- Kevin Pelton

20. Atlanta Hawks

• 2024-25 record: 7-8

• Previous ranking: 21

• Next games: @ GS (Nov. 20), @ CHI (Nov. 22), vs. DAL (Nov. 25)

Winners in three of its past four, the Hawks have to feel good about limiting Kings guard De'Aaron Fox to 29 points after a combined 109 points in his previous two games. Atlanta's 22nd-ranked defense isn't elite, but Dyson Daniels (who was responsible for guarding Fox in Monday's win) has looked impressive playing next to offense-minded lead Trae Young. Daniels entered Tuesday with an incredible 15-steal lead and 34-deflection edge on the next-closest players -- flat-out ridiculous numbers given that we're less than one month into the season. -- Herring

21. Milwaukee Bucks

• 2024-25 record: 5-9

• Previous ranking: 20

• Next games: vs. CHI (Nov. 20), vs. IND (Nov. 22), vs. CHA (Nov. 23), @ MIA (Nov. 26)

The Bucks have won three of their past four games, providing relief after a disastrous 2-8 start. Milwaukee's improved defense, powered by an increasingly locked-in Giannis Antetokounmpo, ranked seventh in defensive efficiency since the start of November. A soft schedule this week filled with home games will give the Bucks a chance to bounce back from their slow start -- they will host Eastern Conference foes Chicago, Indiana and Charlotte. -- Collier

22. Charlotte Hornets

• 2024-25 record: 5-9

• Previous ranking: 23

• Next games: vs. DET (Nov. 21), @ MIL (Nov. 23), vs. ORL (Nov. 25)

Brandon Miller, last season's runner-up in Rookie of the Year voting, has struggled since coming back from a glute strain he suffered in the season opener. He's shooting 35.3% (down from 44% as a rookie) and 30.6% from 3 (down from 37.3%). Even when left wide-open, he's connected on just 26.5% of his 3s. Coach Charles Lee challenged Miller coming into the season to develop a more efficient shot profile by swapping out more midrange shots for 3s instead. But it could also be worth it for Miller to put the ball on the floor to draw trips to the line to build the 21-year-old's confidence. -- Herring

23. Portland Trail Blazers

• 2024-25 record: 6-8

• Previous ranking: 27

• Next games: @ OKC (Nov. 20), @ HOU (Nov. 22), @ HOU (Nov. 23), @ MEM (Nov. 25)

The Blazers' current three-game winning streak ties their longest since a 4-0 start to the 2022-23 season, back when Damian Lillard called Portland home. All three wins came with starters Deandre Ayton and Anfernee Simons sidelined, with the Blazers getting 27.3 PPG on red-hot shooting from guard Shaedon Sharpe and strong performances from both backup centers. Robert Williams III, looking fully healthy, has totaled 33 points on 15-of-16 shooting in two starts. And when Williams sat out the back end of a back-to-back, lottery pick Donovan Clingan stepped in with 17 points, 12 rebounds and eight blocks. -- Pelton

24. Brooklyn Nets

• 2024-25 record: 6-9

• Previous ranking: 19

• Next games: @ PHI (Nov. 22), @ SAC (Nov. 24), @ GS (Nov. 25)

The Nets have been more competitive than expected in their first season under coach Jordi Fernandez. They're a top-10 offense but their most glaring issue has been their defensive struggles. Brooklyn commits more fouls per 100 possessions than any club, and only Toronto sends opponents to the line more on a per-shot-attempt basis. Despite those metrics, and the aggressive play they suggest, the Nets are still tied for last in blocked shots per 100 plays. It highlights just how much they could use injured rim protector Nic Claxton back in the lineup. -- Herring

25. Chicago Bulls

• 2024-25 record: 6-9

• Previous ranking: 24

• Next games: @ MIL (Nov. 20), vs. ATL (Nov. 22), vs. MEM (Nov. 23), @ WAS (Nov. 26)

The Josh Giddey experience for the Bulls has come with ups and downs during his first few weeks. He has started all 15 games for Chicago, but he was out of the closing lineup for five straight games before staying on the floor in Monday's win over Detroit. Giddey is shooting a respectable 36.4% from 3, but the team is still getting outscored with him on the court to the tune of a minus-8.2 net rating. Giddey's development, after a crucial trade from the Thunder involving Alex Caruso, will be one of the measurements for the Bulls' success this season. -- Collier

26. Philadelphia 76ers

• 2024-25 record: 2-11

• Previous ranking: 22

• Next games: @ MEM (Nov. 20), vs. BKN (Nov. 22), vs. LAC (Nov. 24)

Team meetings or not, the solution for the 76ers getting out of the East cellar is a simple one: more production from their stars. Philadelphia is being outscored by a staggering 20.4 points per 100 possessions when Joel Embiid is on the floor this season, and 12 points per 100 possessions when Paul George is playing. If those two start playing like All-Stars again, the 76ers will quickly start to look like a better team. -- Bontemps

27. New Orleans Pelicans

• 2024-25 record: 4-11

• Previous ranking: 26

• Next games: @ CLE (Nov. 20), vs. GS (Nov. 22), @ IND (Nov. 25)

The Pelicans snapped a six-game losing streak by beating the Nuggets on Friday with Jokic out of the lineup, but they continue to lose ground in the West playoff race because of injuries. The biggest obstacle for New Orleans may be how many teams stand between the Pelicans and the play-in tournament. Right now, that's four, with only the Jazz behind them in the standings. New Orleans dealt with a similar predicament in Zion Williamson's rookie season, playing around .500 after a 1-7 start but never digging out of that hole. -- Pelton

28. Utah Jazz

• 2024-25 record: 3-11

• Previous ranking: 30

• Next games: @ SA (Nov. 21), vs. NYK (Nov. 23), vs. SA (Nov. 26)

Rookie guard Isaiah Collier is only 1-of-12 from 3-point range, but he's providing evidence that he can make a positive impact. Collier, whose debut was delayed two weeks due to a hamstring injury, has a plus-10 rating in 108 minutes over his first six games. His tenacious, tough defense has made a favorable impression. Entering Tuesday, the Jazz were allowing only 104.5 points per 100 possessions with the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Collier on the court, the lowest defensive rating among Utah players. -- MacMahon

29. Toronto Raptors

• 2024-25 record: 3-12

• Previous ranking: 28

• Next games: vs. MIN (Nov. 21), @ CLE (Nov. 24), @ DET (Nov. 25)

Over the past three games, Raptors center Jakob Poeltl has produced at an All-NBA level, averaging 30 points on 72% shooting and 15 rebounds. Per Keerthika Uthayakumar of TSN Sports, Poeltl is just the sixth player in Stathead.com's database to reach those heights over a three-game span, and all of the others, save Dwight Howard, won MVP. Poeltl's powerful play helped Toronto take Boston to overtime Saturday before finally ending a seven-game losing streak against the Pacers on Monday. -- Pelton

30. Washington Wizards

• 2024-25 record: 2-11

• Previous ranking: 29

• Next games: vs. BOS (Nov. 22), @ IND (Nov. 24), vs. CHI (Nov. 26)

After starting the season 2-2, Washington has lost nine straight. Even worse, only one of those losses (to San Antonio) have come by single digits. The Wizards have six 20-point losses, tied for the most through 13 games of a season in NBA history. An upset Wizards coach Brian Keefe took the blame for the past two losses to Detroit and New York, which were by a combined 48 points. Washington did get point guard Malcolm Brogdon back recently from injury, but rising prospect Bilal Coulibaly missed Monday's game due to a head injury. -- Youngmisuk

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter says he is excited at the prospect of being able to pick centre Tamati Tua.

The 27-year-old joined Exeter in the summer from Super Rugby's ACT Brumbies, but a neck injury meant he missed all of pre-season and the first block of Premiership games.

The New Zealander finally made his debut in the Premiership Rugby Cup win over Championship side Hartpury earlier this month. Exeter travel to Gloucester on Friday night for their third match in the competition.

Tua's return will be a boost to Exeter who have been hit by injuries in their midfield this season with Henry Slade and Ben Hammersley also absent for periods of the campaign.

"Watching him at the Brumbies he's got a good level of physicality carrying through the gain line, reads defensively very well and has a good skill set around carrying and offloading, which you saw a couple of instances of that at the weekend," Baxter told BBC Sport.

"He's just a good all-round player. He's a big athletic guy, so he challenges the opposition in attack and defence and that's what we want to see.

"We want to see him with ball in hand as much as possible and attacking opposition to give us some start points, but also to create some opportunities as play breaks down a little bit and keep the ball alive.

"I think you're going to see a lot from him over the rest of this season."

Saints beat Leicester Tigers 31-12 in their opening match of this season's PRC before narrowly overcoming a fired-up Nottingham side 31-29.

"For Nottingham it was their European Cup final, it was their Prem final, you could see how serious they took it," said Radford.

"They got together in a huddle, you could see there was real intent, it was a really big occasion for them playing at the Premiership champions."

Northampton, the 2019 Cup winners, complete the first half of the pool stage - return games take place in February - with a trip to Championship and group leaders Coventry on Saturday.

And, like Nottingham, Radford expects they will provide a stern challenge.

"Coventry have got the champions coming to their home ground, they're going to be after it and the key for us is making sure we turn up with the right energy and intent," he added.

"We can make errors, we can be a little bit giddy defensively but we can't lose the energy battle. It's really important that we dictate the intensity of the game and not let it be dictated to us."

Having represented Edinburgh, Border Reivers where he played alongside current Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend and Scotland A in his playing days, Taylor joined Glasgow Warriors as defence coach in 2012 and was assistant to Townsend when the club won the Pro12 title in 2015.

He combined that job with a similar role in the Scotland set-up, assisting Vern Cotter before linking up with Townsend again when he took over the national job in 2017.

Taylor says Townsend has "taken Scotland to another level" since he departed to join Dave Rennies Australia backroom staff in 2019, but feels the Scots need to end their 25-year wait for a Six Nations title while some of their key players are still in their prime.

"Maybe in another two or three years' time itll be interesting to see where Scotland is in terms of that cycle, so I think they've got to take the opportunity in the next year or two," said Taylor, who now coaches at Japanese top-flight side Ricoh Black Rams.

"I really believe that they shouldn't be too far away. In international rugby you've got to take your moments."

Townsend is contracted to Scotland until 2026 and while Taylor believes winning that elusive Six Nations title is the only thing on his mind, he believes his old boss would be a man in demand whenever he choose to pursue a fresh challenge.

"He's very focused on doing well in the next Six Nations," he said.

"I know he's got a real drive and determination to win a title with Scotland. He puts everything into the job and I'm just hoping that for him and for the nation and for the players that Scotland can do that.

"Hes got that history playing in France and he can speak French, so I'd imagine there would be teams out there that would be pretty keen to have him as the head coach. I think he wouldn't mind having a go in Japan at some stage as well.

"He's a very good coach, he's done some really good things with Scotland. So when his time comes to an end, whenever that is, I'm sure he's going to have a lot of options."

While Porter has played on both the loose and the tight for Ireland, Healy has the distinction of having appeared right across the front-row, having been pressed into emergency action at hooker against Scotland in the Six Nations of 2023.

Ireland scrum coach John Fogarty still marvels at how he held his own in a new position at Murrayfield.

"The day we played against Scotland I'm in panic mode, because the two hookers go down and we're asking Cian to go into hooker, not knowing what's going to happen.

"But he's clear in his mind he's going to be competitive.

"To step into an international rugby game as a hooker, it says so much about him - we got two scrum penalties that day."

Fogarty calls Healy "unique" for possessing the physical attributes to succeed on either side of the scrum even at international level.

"He has an ability at loose-head to get to a really good hip height so he can launch into tight-heads, but he's got the overall strength and the hip strength as a tight-head that means he can stay in a good strong position to put pressure on a loose-head.

"He's got a range of abilities but what connects them is his mentality.

"He's an exceptional guy, isn't he? His mindset, his mentality, is different to the majority. He's an incredible competitor and that sets him apart."

"Unique" is Porter's choice of adjective too, although in this case referring to Healy's character, while both he and Fogarty agree further on the fact that, even at 37-years-old, there are a few more caps to come.

"He's definitely a unique character," Porter added.

"He's a huge asset to both Leinster and Ireland and he'll continue to be, it's not his last game.

"He's a great fella and it's great to be able to share the day with him. Hopefully he can push that on and add a few more to it."

A brace from Club América forward Henry Martín carried Mexico to a comeback 4-2 aggregate victory over Honduras in the knockout round of the Concacaf Nations League.

Initially down 2-0 after last Friday's away leg, Mexico kicked off Tuesday's second leg in Toluca with immediate attacking pressure against Honduras' backline.

In a first half that included 14 shots, El Tri constantly threw numbers forward and regularly tested opposing goalkeeper Edrick Menjivar. Honduras, in response, did well to soak up pressure and gradually tire out the home side, which began to look frustrated.

Then arrived a momentum-changing strike from Raúl Jiménez late into the first half.

Following a deep run from Chivas left-back Jesus Orozco Chiquete that led to a low cross from the central defender, Jimenez rapidly stuck out his boot to meet the ball that ricocheted into Honduras' net in the 42nd minute.

After the halftime break, El Tri continued to look proactive with their attack-minded approach.

Mexico further strengthened its frontline with two out-and-out strikers on the pitch thanks to the 66th minute additions of César Huerta, Jorge Sánchez, and Martin off the bench. The gamble paid off for head coach Javier Aguirre, who soon took a 2-0 lead in the second half.

Moments after a cross off a corner from Alexis Vega in the 72nd minute, Jimenez slightly deflected the ball and set up Martin with a close-range shot that doubled El Tri's lead.

After leveling the quarterfinal series, Mexico's confidence changed allowing them to add more goals to the scoresheet.

Vega, with plenty of time in the 85th minute to look for options in the final third, lofted a pass to Sanchez, who then powered a shot past Menjivar to make it 3-2.

Then, in the 97th minute, Martin would cement their dominant home performance with a goal off a penalty that secured the 4-2 aggregate scoreline by the final whistle.

With the result in hand, Mexico and Aguirre have moved on to the semifinal round of the Nations League and qualified for 2025's Concacaf Gold Cup. Honduras will have a second chance to qualify for the Gold Cup through a preliminary competition.

In the quarterfinal first leg last Friday, Aguirre was hit in the head with a beer can at Honduras' Estadio Francisco Morazan. Concacaf responded to the incident by handing a one-match ban and fine for Honduras, while also opening up a separate investigation regarding the conduct of Mexico's coach during the game.

Aguirre brushed off the can-throwing incident that left him bleeding profusely from the head.