Willis brothers prove resilience is key in harsh world of rugby

Sometimes people forget the most priceless quality in a rugby player.

- Robert Kitson

It can also be easily overlooked, particularly on sunny days in benign conditions when tries flow like warm honey. It is only fully visible to those aware of just how deep certain individuals have already had to dig to be there.

So yes, size clearly matters to some extent. Vision, too, in a game that grows ever quicker. Athleticism, power and pace, obviously. Tactical nous, regardless of position. Above all else, though, is something that goes beyond mere routine commitment. Call it resilience, character, stubbornness, competitiveness or virtual insanity, it is particularly evident in adversity. Some people have it by the bucket-load, others less so.

Everyone will get knocked down at some point in life; not everyone can bounce straight back up again. We are not talking here, to be clear, about foolishly playing on when badly injured or dazed, once the default behaviour of supposedly macho warriors. It is more about saluting the type of player who endures morale-sapping injuries, desperate career disappointment or off-field anguish and re-emerges the stronger for it.