Whatever their fate in France, six months from now a country renowned for breeding playmakers of supreme quality will be confronted with a rhetorical question of some magnitude: Where have all our fly-halves gone?
To Japan or France in the case of Gareth Anscombe, an option made all the more inevitable by the swingeing cuts imposed on a Welsh domestic game which has not been alone in living beyond its means for too long.
Dan Biggar will inevitably retire from Test rugby once Wales have come to the end of their road in France by which time he will have turned 34. The plan then will be to devote what time he has left towards restoring Toulon’s former glory.
Rhys Priestland, at 36 the oldest of the No.10 brigade, plans to hang up his boots at the end of next month rather than flog himself through another season on a cut-price deal.
Owen Williams, contracted to the Ospreys until next year, will be staying put but at 32 he has little realistic prospect of lasting long enough to be a serious contender for the World Cup after next.
Jarrod Evans, the only other 10 to start for Wales since the last global tournament, has been surplus to national requirements since the summer series against Argentina two years ago. Rather than hang on at Cardiff indefinitely, he has cut his losses and signed for Harlequins as second string to Marcus Smith.
Denne historien er fra April 09, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra April 09, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
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Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.