Here are the morning headlines from the rugby world on Monday, December 16.
Alun Wyn Jones not ruling out 2023 World Cup
Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones has refused to rule out the possibility of an appearance at the next Rugby World Cup in France in 2023.
The 34-year old is Wales' most capped player ever, and led his country to the semi-finals of this year's competition in Japan.
There are clearly questions over whether he will make it to another tournament, but he insists that he hasn't yet ruled anything out.
Speaking at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards, he told Sports Mole : "I've thought about [2023].
"I read a BBC biog that said 'almost certainly not' but I think the only solace I can take from that is the world 'almost'. I'd never say never but I'm focussed on Ospreys for the next few years."
Jones missed out on claiming the top prize, which went to World Cup-winning cricketer and Ashes hero Ben Stokes.
Doddie Weir brings sporting world to tears
Sunday night's Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony in Aberdeen also saw Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir deliver an inspirational and emotional message, as he was honoured for his work in raising funds and awareness to aid research into motor neurone disease.
The former Scotland lock was diagnosed with the disease back in 2016, and set up the 'My Name'5 Doddie Weir Foundation' a year later.
Weir was presented with the Helen Rollason Award, which recognises outstanding achievement in the face of adversity, and told those gathered inside the P&J Live Arena: "It's lovely to have the company of my family here, the rugby friends I have, it's quite amazing.
"And it's quite ironic, being a Scottish rugby player in the '90s, this is the closest I've ever got to a trophy, so it's very nice.
"What a great Christmas present this has been to show the awareness of MND, but I have to dedicate this... I've been involved in sport a long, and what it does show you is.
"I have to dedicate this award to all the supporters, everybody who has supported my foundation over the last two years. It's been truly amazing.
"I would not be standing here if it wasn't for the lovely support. The generosity has been staggering.
"My foundation has been able to pledge nearly £5m in trying to beat MND.
"The other thing rugby has taught me is to enjoy oneself; enjoy the day because you don't know what happens tomorrow, so tonight will be a special day."
Gareth Thomas surprised by husband after Tour de Trophy challenge
Staying with the awards, and there was an emotional moment for Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas.
The 45-year old, who recently revealed he is HIV positive, cycled 500 miles to take the Sports Personality of the Year trophy from Cardiff, the home of 2018 winner Geraint Thomas , to the awards ceremony in Scotland.
Dubbed the 'Tour de Trophy', the gruelling challenge aimed to raise money for Sport Relief, and saw him cycle for 12 hours a day for a week.
A chorus of bagpipes greeted Thomas as he entered the arena to present the trophy, but the most emotional moment of the evening for him was when he was unexpectedly greeted by husband, Stephen.
Hansen calls for 'true' annual showdown between Six Nations and Rugby Championship winners
Former All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen says the game will never see a true shoot-out between the Rugby Championship and Six Nations winners unless changes are made to the structures of world rugby.
Hansen has previously been critical over what he perceives to be World Rugby's failure to stand up to the Six Nations, particularly in light of the collapse of the proposed Nations Championship, which he believes would have given the Pacific Island nations a better platform to improve.
“We have these wonderful ideas about growing the game but we don’t have an organisation at the top that wants to be strong enough to say 'righto, this is what we’re doing, we’re going to have a global season," he said.
“The Six Nations rule world Test rugby programs. They don’t want to give that up and until they’re prepared to give that up, we’re not going to see any progress in that area.
"If we want true global game…if we want the Super Rugby champions to play the European champions, the Six Nations champions to play our four nations champions, we've got to find time in the windows.
"We have to invent better ways, particularly in the southern hemisphere, cutting down some of the travel. Some of our governing bodies have to look at what they are doing."
Saracens v Munster probe launched
Champions Cup organisers have confirmed that they will launch an investigation into the mass brawl that erupted during Saturday's match between Saracens and Munster on Saturday.
Saracens won the encounter at Allianz Park 15-6, but the game was marred by a brawl involving nearly 30 players from both sides in the second half.
Alex Sanderson, one of the home side’s coaching staff, later said the events were sparked by "a derogatory remark" made by Munster's team doctor Jamie Jearns to England hooker Jamie George.
Now, European Professional Rugby Club Rugby, has confirmed it is to formally look into the incident.
In a statement, the EPCR said: "EPCR has decided to investigate incidents which occurred during the second half of the Heineken Champions Cup, Round 4 match between Saracens and Munster Rugby at Allianz Park yesterday.
"Information will now be sought from the match officials and from both clubs and EPCR will be making no further comment until the investigation has been completed."
