O'Toole had been promoted to Ireland's matchday squad for the All Blacks game after Tadhg Furlong's injury meant Finlay Bealham started at tight-head prop.

It was a big game for O'Toole, who did not feature in the summer's two-Test series against the Springboks in South Africa after making just one appearance off the bench in this year's Six Nations.

While the Drogheda native says being concussed so soon after being introduced was "really tough", he insists he would not do anything differently were he to find himself in the same situation.

"When you're coming up against the All Blacks, especially at home and how big of a game it was, you come on and within two minutes you get a scrum, a carry and you feel like you're in the game and then all of a sudden you're out," said O'Toole.

"Unfortunately, I don't remember too much after it. Watching it back is obviously pretty disappointing.

"That's rugby, without being too cheesy or whatever. That's the game, that's what happens. [I've] probably watched it over 100 times to see if I could have done anything differently but unfortunately you can't really.

"I just got caught. As I said, I wish I could've done something differently but I don't think I would have done anything differently if I had it again."

Van Poortvliet featured 19 times in the league when Tigers won the Premiership title in 2022, but was left out of the Grand Final side that beat Saracens.

While he missed out on the decider, he went on to earn his senior international debut for England a month later.

He has played 16 times for his country, with his latest appearances coming against South Africa and Japan in November.

Van Poortvliet had not featured for England for more than a year after an ankle injury forced him to miss last year's World Cup.

Tigers head coach Michael Cheika described the playmaker as "a quality player and a quality person".

"He knows what it means to play and win for Leicester," Cheika continued.

"He is already at international level, and I believe there's still lots of growth left in his game."

Van Poortvliet is the fifth Tigers player to renew his contract with the club this week, following fellow England international Ollie Hassell-Collins, Ollie Chessum, Tonga centre Solomone Kata and Scotland prop Will Hurd.

Tom Ilube has stepped down as Rugby Football Union chairman, pre-empting the possibility of a grassroots rebellion forcing him out over the scale of the organisation's executive bonuses.

Ilube, who was appointed in August 2021, faced the possibility of a vote of no-confidence in his leadership as a motion to sack him gathered support among England's community clubs.

The RFU chairman is the only permanent member of the body's remuneration committee which oversees the pay awarded to all employees on a basic salary of more than 180,000 a year.

"I have decided to step down from my role as chair of the RFU as recent events have become a distraction from the game but will stay on to ensure a smooth transition to a new chair as soon as one is in place," said Ilube.

Several newspapers have reported that former World Rugby chair Bill Beaumont, a Grand Slam-winning England captain in his playing days, could return to the RFU in an interim role., external

The RFU's latest accounts, published in November, revealed chief executive Bill Sweeney had been paid a total of 1.1m despite the organisation posting record losses.

Sweeney was paid only 430,000 in 2020 - his first full year in the role - when he took a voluntary 20% pay cut for three months and opted not to take a bonus to limit financial pressure during the pandemic.

However, a three-year incentive plan put in place in 2021, which offered the possibility of large rewards if the RFU's performance hit certain goals, has sent his pay soaring to seven figures.

The RFU's record losses came just two months after the RFU announced the latest round of redundancies.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Capitals and Wizards owner Ted Leonsis, NBA commissioner Adam Silver, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and other officials celebrated the start of an $800 million downtown arena renovation with a ceremonial sledgehammer swinging Thursday inside what will be a new atrium entryway.

The event unveiling renderings for what Capital One Arena should look like when it is fully transformed in time for the 2027-28 NHL and NBA seasons took place as questions swirled nearby on Capitol Hill about the city's hopes of luring the NFL's Commanders. A provision to transfer the land including RFK Stadium to the district was removed from Congress' slimmed-down, short-term spending bill hours later, sending that team back to the drawing board.

In the Chinatown neighborhood, there were handshakes and smiles, as work to retain the Capitals and Wizards had also been ongoing for some time.

Keeping the teams was a significant victory for Bowser. They agreed last spring to remain in the city as part of a $515 million, publicly funded project, after a planned move across the Potomac River to Virginia proposed roughly a year ago fell apart in that state's legislature.

"I've got to say, what a difference a year makes," Ward 2 council member Brooke Pinto said. "Ted Leonsis, thank you so much for believing in this city. ... Thank you for your dedication to our city."

Leonsis called it a landmark day for the district and his company. His Monumental Sports and Entertainment will pay for the rest of the project, which area leaders hope will serve as a central hub of the nation's capital between its many neighborhoods.

"When you see those signs, 'Please excuse our dust,' there's going to be a lot of dust here," Leonsis said. "This project is massive. It'll probably take three seasons to do it, and it's $800 million. It is a significant, significant program. But after you see what we're going to do for the players, the fans and the city, it'll be worth the wait."

The work, which will take place in several stages from now through fall 2027, includes more than doubling the size of locker rooms while also adding suites and other amenities. The building initially opened in December 1997.

"This is nearly a billion-dollar investment for [players'] benefit and for the community's benefit," Silver said, alluding to future All-Star Games and other events that will take place. "The NBA and NHL will have less than half the dates at the end of the day because what's happened now with these entertainment palaces -- they are full, it seems, practically every night of the year."

With the NHL schedule set to soon hit the holiday break -- with no games on Dec. 24, 25 or 26 -- it's the perfect time to examine some betting trends from the first three calendar months of the 2024-25 campaign.

Which teams are best when favored at home? Which underdogs are overperforming? Find out the answers there, along with an updated set of Power Rankings, voted on by the ESPN hockey family.

How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday, which generates our master list.

Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Dec. 13. Betting stats are through Wednesday's games; points percentages are through Thursday's games. Victoria Matiash identified betting trends for the West, while Sean Allen handled the East.

1. Washington Capitals

Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 70.97%

The Capitals excel as underdogs, with a 9-3 record (75.0%) against the spread on the road (61.5% is the league average) and a 5-1 record (83.3%) at home (62.6% league average).

That's a fun trend, but how often are the Caps going to be considered underdogs as they continue to flirt with the NHL points lead? They are still beating the spread as favorites better than the league rate (6-7 overall), but it's not as stark as when they are the dogs.

Next eight days: vs. CAR (Dec. 20), vs. LA (Dec. 22), @ BOS (Dec. 23)

2. Winnipeg Jets

Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 69.12%

This week's 3-2 loss in Anaheim strikes as even more uncommon in light of the Jets' moneyline returns as the road favorite. But while 10-2 remains impressive overall, Winnipeg has a losing 5-7 record on the road altogether since Nov. 14.

Next eight days: vs. MIN (Dec. 21), @ TOR (Dec. 23)

3. New Jersey Devils

Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 64.29%

If the Devils are rolling into town, watch out! With their punishing top power-play unit, the Devils deliver on the road regardless of favorite status. As road favorites, they've won nine of 12 games (75.0%), outperforming the 59.1% league average. Even as road underdogs, they excel, going 3-1 (75.0%), nearly doubling the overall road underdog win rate of 39.1%.

Next eight days: vs. PIT (Dec. 21), vs. NYR (Dec. 23), vs. CAR (Dec. 27)

4. Minnesota Wild

Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 68.75%

When favored, Filip Gustavsson & Co. tend to win in tight fashion at home. A strong 8-3 (72.7%) as the favorite, the Wild are a symmetrically opposite 3-8 (27.3%) against the spread when expected to secure the victory at Xcel Energy Center, including two straight losses this week.

Next eight days: vs. UTA (Dec. 20), @ WPG (Dec. 21), vs. CHI (Dec. 23)

5. Vegas Golden Knights

Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 70.31%

Nine and two when the home favorite -- they've lost only three times at T-Mobile Arena altogether -- Vegas manages just fine when their top producer doesn't contribute. The club is 7-2 when Jack Eichel doesn't register a point.

Next eight days: vs. SEA (Dec. 21), vs. ANA (Dec. 23), @ SJ (Dec. 27)

6. Carolina Hurricanes

Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 66.13%

Defense first in Carolina. That hasn't changed. The Hurricanes have shown clear trends when it comes to game totals. When the line for the Canes is set at 6.5, the game hits the under 17 of 24 times (70.8%), much more often the 57.4% league average. However, at 5.5, it flips, as Carolina has gone over five of seven times.

Next eight days: @ WSH (Dec. 20), @ NYR (Dec. 22), @ NSH (Dec. 23), @ NJ (Dec. 27)

7. Los Angeles Kings

Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 65.63%

By the numbers, the Kings are much more successful when their captain contributes. A rollicking 15-9 when Anze Kopitar collects at least one point, the Kings are only 3-4 otherwise. They're also 7-2 when favored at Crypto.com Arena.

Next eight days: @ NSH (Dec. 21), @ WSH (Dec. 22)

8. Florida Panthers

Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 63.64%

The Panthers haven't been broadly viewed as underdogs since they knocked out the Bruins in 2023, but they embrace the moniker whenever it comes up in games. At home, they've won two of three as underdogs (66.7%), and on the road, they shine even brighter, going 4-1 as underdogs (80.0%), nearly doubling the league's road underdog win rate of 39.2%.

Next eight days: vs. STL (Dec. 20), @ TB (Dec. 22), vs. TB (Dec. 23)

9. Toronto Maple Leafs

Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 65.63%

The Maple Leafs have been dominant at home, winning 13 of 17 games (76.5%) as the favorite and also earning the W the one time they were considered home underdogs. That strong home play is based in limiting goals, as games at Scotiabank Arena have also gone under 14 of 18 times on home ice. The unders are a much stronger trend for the Leafs at home, as their games have been under only four of 14 times on the road.

Next eight days: @ BUF (Dec. 20), vs. NYI (Dec. 21), vs. WPG (Dec. 23), @ DET (Dec. 27)

10. Dallas Stars

Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 61.29%

Another club that clearly enjoys the comforts of home, the Stars are 12-2 (85.7%) at American Airlines Center when deemed the favorite.

However, it's a very different tale against the spread on the road, where Dallas -- sporting a losing record altogether -- is 2-9 (18.2%) to cover when backed to win.

Next eight days: vs. NYR (Dec. 20), @ UTA (Dec. 23), vs. MIN (Dec. 27)

11. Edmonton Oilers

Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 62.50%

Unimposing against the spread when expected to win all season long -- 5-11 (31.2%) -- the Oilers are improving in this category in recent play. Connor McDavid & Co. have beaten the opposition by a minimum of two goals in four of their past five at Rogers Place.

Next eight days: vs. SJ (Dec. 21), vs. OTT (Dec. 22)

12. Tampa Bay Lightning

Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 63.33%

The Lightning have been solid as home favorites, winning eight of 11 games (72.7%), surpassing the 60.9% league average. But it's notable that at this juncture, more than two months into the season, the Bolts are largely untested against their own division. They've played only three games against Atlantic Division opponents, losing all three while failing to cover.

Next eight days: vs. FLA (Dec. 22), @ FLA (Dec. 23)

13. Vancouver Canucks

Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 59.38%

The Canucks' remarkable road resume (10-2-2) is translating into an equally outstanding record as the straight-up favorite. They've lost only twice when backed by sportsbooks to win in 10 tries, including a narrow 3-2 defeat in Salt Lake City on Wednesday night.

Next eight days: vs. OTT (Dec. 21), vs. SJ (Dec. 23)

14. Boston Bruins

Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 55.58%

The Bruins hanging in near the top of the Atlantic has not come through dominance of opponents at home. While they may be 9-8 overall on familiar turf, they've covered the spread only three of 16 times when the sportsbooks have favored them at TD Garden (18.8% compared to league rate of 38.5% for home teams).

Next eight days: vs. BUF (Dec. 21), vs. WSH (Dec. 23), @ CBJ (Dec. 27)

15. Calgary Flames

Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 56.06%

The Flames are cooking at The Saddledome when holding a perceived edge. Forward Nazem Kadri -- sizzling hot of late with a four-game goal streak -- & Co. have lost just the once in six tries (83.3%) when dubbed the home favorite.

Next eight days: vs. CHI (Dec. 21)

16. Colorado Avalanche

Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 55.88%

When favored, this team doesn't often cover the spread at home. The Avs' dismal 3-11 record (21.4%) under such circumstances serves as stark contrast to their 8-1 success rate straight-up when perceived as the better team on the road. More oddly, they sport a winning record when Nathan MacKinnon doesn't earn a single point.

Next eight days: @ ANA (Dec. 20), vs. SEA (Dec. 22), @ UTA (Dec. 27)

17. Ottawa Senators

Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 56.45%

The Sens rank fifth in their own division, but you wouldn't know it based on their record against their rivals. The Sens are 5-2 when facing opponents from the Atlantic and, strangely enough, the two losses are to teams with worse records. They've even managed a 4-3 total against the spread while beating up on their divisional foes.

Next eight days: @ VAN (Dec. 21), @ EDM (Dec. 22)

18. Utah Hockey Club

Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 56.45%

Enjoying a 4-0 road record, Utah is 5-0-1 since Dec. 7, relishing victories over at least one team from every division. The common denominator? Forward Dylan Guenther has registered a minimum of one point in every one of those contests.

Next eight days: @ MIN (Dec. 20), vs. ANA (Dec. 22), vs. DAL (Dec. 23), vs. COL (Dec. 27)

19. St. Louis Blues

Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 48.53%

The Blues are having a tough time with their divisional opponents, securing the victory only once in six contests. Outside of an early December 4-1 victory over the Jets, they've been outscored 17-8 by other members of the Central.

Next eight days: @ FLA (Dec. 20), @ DET (Dec. 23), vs. NSH (Dec. 27)

20. Pittsburgh Penguins

Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 51.47%

The Penguins have been successful as home favorites, winning four of five games. However, they've struggled to cover, doing so just once in those opportunities (20.0%), below the 38.5% overall rate for home favorites. Their struggles stem from matchups with division foes, where Sidney Crosby and friends are 1-6 on the line and 2-5 against the spread.

Next eight days: @ NJ (Dec. 21), vs. PHI (Dec. 23)

21. Philadelphia Flyers

Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 48.48%

Which came first, the Travis Konecny points or the Flyers covering the spread? They manage to cover more often when Konecny gets on the scoresheet (14-10) than not (2-6). The Flyers also vary from league trends for over/under outcomes at home, with the under coming in at a much higher rate at Wells Fargo Center (68.8%) than the league average (53.7%).

Next eight days: vs. CBJ (Dec. 21), @ PIT (Dec. 23)

22. New York Rangers

Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 50.00%

They've avoided the home underdog label mostly, being favored in all but one of their home games, but they have not delivered. They are 7-8 on moneyline and a woeful 3-12 against the spread as the home favorite.

As they ship off players to the West Coast, eventually the books will start leaning toward the visiting side at Madison Square Garden if this slide continues.

Next eight days: @ DAL (Dec. 20), vs. CAR (Dec. 22), @ NJ (Dec. 23)

23. Seattle Kraken

Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 47.06%

Straight up, the Kraken are proving an undesirable play as a home underdog with a 4-7 record (36.4%) while enjoying more success against the spread, covering in seven of 11 match-ups (63.6%). It helps when Jared McCann contributes to the scoresheet; Seattle has won only three times when he's failed to do so.

Next eight days: @ VGK (Dec. 21), @ COL (Dec. 22)

24. New York Islanders

Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 46.97%

The Isles are two different teams on the road. First, there are the underdog Islanders, a scrappy team that is 6-6 (50% win rate compared to league average 39.1%) and 9-3 against the spread. But then there are the favored Islanders on the road, a team that is a brutal 0-6 on the moneyline and ATS. For the Islanders to do well, we need to think they are going to lose. Sounds about right.

Next eight days: @ TOR (Dec. 21), vs. BUF (Dec. 23)

25. Detroit Red Wings

Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 48.39%

The Wings can keep things tight when playing in their own division. While they are 3-5 against their rivals, Detroit has covered the spread at a 5-3 rate. Additionally, they've covered the spread 10 of 13 times as dogs (76.9%) and eight of 13 times as favorites (61.5%) at home.

Next eight days: vs. MTL (Dec. 20), @ MTL (Dec. 21), vs. STL (Dec. 23), vs. TOR (Dec. 27)

26. Columbus Blue Jackets

Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 46.97%

The Blue Jackets consistently buck league trends on 6.5 totals. While the league hits the under 57.4% of the time, games with Columbus have gone under in 11 of 32 games (34.4%). Notably, they've yet to be involved in a game with a total set at 5.5, showing sportsbooks trust Elvis Merzlikins about as much as fantasy managers (Thursday night's heroics aside).

Next eight days: @ PHI (Dec. 21), vs. MTL (Dec. 23), vs. BOS (Dec. 27)

27. Montreal Canadiens

Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 43.55%

Just ask a fantasy manager with Sam Montembeault about this tidbit: When the line is set at 5.5, games with Montreal have gone over five of seven times (71.4%), well above the league's 51.5% over rate. Also, if the sportsbooks back them, get on board: The Habs are 2-0 as favorites this season.

Next eight days: @ DET (Dec. 20), vs. DET (Dec. 21), @ CBJ (Dec. 23)

28. Anaheim Ducks

Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 46.67%

One might be advised to take the under, particularly when the bar is set at 6.5 goals. Games involving the Ducks, who have scored the second fewest goals this season, have slid below that total mark on 15 of 20 occasions (75%).

Next eight days: vs. COL (Dec. 20), @ UTA (Dec. 22), @ VGK (Dec. 23)

29. San Jose Sharks

Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 38.57%

More like "undersharks," am I right? Though they have not once been labeled the favorite home or away this season, Macklin Celebrini and the rebuilding Sharks are 11-4 (73.3%) against the spread as the home dog and 13-6 (68.4%) away from SAP Center.

Next eight days: @ EDM (Dec. 21), @ VAN (Dec. 23), vs. VGK (Dec. 27)

30. Buffalo Sabres

Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 40.63%

The Sabres are unreliable at home, whether favored or not. That's not a shocking statement for a team winless in its last 11, but even as home favorites, they've won just three of seven games (42.9%). That said, when they are the underdog, Buffalo does manage to beat the spread at home (8-3 for a 72.7% rate that trumps the league-wide 62.6%).

Next eight days: vs. TOR (Dec. 20), @ BOS (Dec. 21), @ NYI (Dec. 23), vs. CHI (Dec. 27)

31. Chicago Blackhawks

Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 39.39%

Not astonishing, considering they've scored the third-fewest number of goals in the league, but the Blackhawks have hit the under 13 times and the over five times on the road (72.2% under rate). They also don't much care for too much rest, posting a 1-8-1 record in games following a break of two days.

Next eight days: @ CGY (Dec. 21), @ MIN (Dec. 23), @ BUF (Dec. 27)

32. Nashville Predators

Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 37.88%

While the disappointing Predators don't often overcome the odds while traveling, they repeatedly cover. Only 2-10 (16.7%) as road underdogs -- including a recent 4-1 win over the Stars in Dallas -- Nashville is 8-4 (66.7%) against the spread.

Next eight days: vs. LA (Dec. 21), vs. CAR (Dec. 23), @ STL (Dec. 27)

The NHL's roster freeze for 2024-25 kicked in last night. GMs: put your pencils down. Although no trades can be made until the freeze lifts on Dec. 27, that will not stop teams from having discussions to improve their rosters.

Some real doozies have happened over the past couple of weeks: Jacob Trouba, Kaapo Kakko, Cam Fowler and Mackenzie Blackwood all have new addresses. The ESPN Big Board features some big names this season, and while we don't expect the likes of Mitch Marner or Mikko Rantanen to be moved, could Chris Kreider be traded if the New York Rangers continue their free fall?

Instead of speculating on which players can be moved, let's have some fun. Looking at teams around the league, from contenders to tank commanders, let's find some new homes for players with trades that would make some sense, or have percolated in the rumor mill already.

After beating Manchester United 4-3 in a dramatic Carabao Cup quarterfinal, Tottenham Hotspur were drawn against Premier League leaders Liverpool in the semifinals.

Arsenal will host Newcastle United at the Emirates in the first leg of the other semifinal, which begins on the weekend of Jan. 6.

The second legs will be played on the weekend of Feb. 3.

Arsenal beat Crystal Palace in their quarterfinal on Wednesday, while Liverpool and Newcastle beat Southampton and Brentford, respectively, to advance to the semifinals.

Defending champions Liverpool are also leading the Premier League by two points over Chelsea and have a game in hand.

"We have to defend the trophy because the club won it last season, so we want to compete in every league and this is one of them, so we're happy that we reached the semifinal," said Slot after Liverpool's win on Wednesday.

Ruben Amorim insisted he was right to drop Marcus Rashford from the Manchester United squad despite going out of the Carabao Cup at the quarterfinal stage following a 4-3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Rashford was left out of Amorim's squad for the second game in a row after he was also dropped for the 2-1 win over Manchester City on Sunday.

The 27-year-old suggested in an interview Tuesday that he wants to leave the club. Asked afterward whether Spurs' victory made him rethink his stance on the England forward, Amorim said he stood by his decision.

"I feel that I do the right thing for the team so it's never a mistake," the United head coach said. "We have to make a selection. I think it wasn't a mistake because I'm always doing the best for the team in my way of seeing things."

Without Rashford, United briefly recovered from 3-0 down to make it 3-2 thanks to two errors from goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Spurs made it 4-2 before Jonny Evans scored a late consolation and Ange Postecoglou's side held on to book a semifinal spot against Liverpool.

Amorim, meanwhile, was left to rue an eight-minute period at the start of the second half during which Spurs scored twice.

"We control the possession I think," Amorim said. "We were not the best team in all of the game, but for most of the parts I think we were the best team. I think we disconnect for eight minutes and it is really hard to recover from that. The lads did a great job to recover.

"We still had time to win the game, but the fourth goal was really hard for us. In the end it was not enough and we're out of the cup."

It was a difficult night for both goalkeepers with United's No.2 Altay Bayindir -- handed a rare start ahead of André Onana -- at fault for two goals. Forster's mistakes were more embarrassing, particularly the second when he took too long with a back pass and was charged down by Amad Diallo.

"He is disappointed because he was outstanding for us," Postecoglou said. "Even before then in the first half I thought he was really good with his feet, he found some great solutions.

"The first one probably affected his confidence a little bit and he lost a bit of belief and the second one compounded it. But he is a big boy and he is another one who has stood up for us big time in this period. I can't speak highly enough of this group of players."

Tottenham host Liverpool in their semifinal first leg on the weekend of Jan. 6, while Newcastle will travel to face Arsenal at The Emirates.