Pray that Joe Schmidt returns for another run

So there you have it. Another Six Nations championship has come and gone in a never-ending season kickstarted by those World Cup warm-up games back in August.

For the players, the process of reintegrating themselves back into the daily bread and butter of club and provincial rugby starts all over again as domestic and European silverware become the focus for some, with qualification for Europe next season the only goal available to others.

After that Ireland, Wales and newly crowned champions England, all head off on hugely demanding, three test series to South Africa, New Zealand and Australia respectively.