As the first set of festive Welsh derbies took place on Boxing Day, Warren Gatland would have been watching on with keen interest from his native New Zealand.
The returning Wales coach still has plenty to settle when he returns to Wales ahead of the Six Nations, including his coaching ticket, but there are some things which are already fairly stable. With his first game in charge (again) being against the number one side in the world, Ireland, in less than 40 days' time, it will be a welcome boost for Gatland that, while there are some selection dilemmas, there are also more than a handful of players nailed on to start against the Irish on February 4.
For example, if fit, there's no doubt that Taulupe Faletau will start at No. 8, with the generational talent's name chiselled in stone. He starts, simple as that.
