The 2022/23 season may have only recently come to an end but eyes will already be fixed firmly at what is lurking over the horizon.
While the immediate focus is on the Rugby World Cup, there are set to be many significant changes at all levels of Welsh rugby next season.
WalesOnline run the rule over what we can expect to be different over the coming months.
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Leadership change at the WRU
There is about to be significant change at the Welsh Rugby Union over the next few months with a some key appointments in the offing.
Following the resignation of CEO Steve Phillips in January former Wales wing Nigel Walker has taken on the job on an interim basis but of course a permanent replacement needs to be found.
But firstly the WRU need to appoint an independent chair after its member clubs voted through monumental changes to the governance at an extraordinary general meeting in Port Talbot in March.
It will be fascinating to see how the next group of people in charge go about trying to fix the many issues in Welsh rugby.
A lot of work to be done then but one thing which is certain is there will be new management at the head of the WRU by the start of 2024 at the very latest.
Regions to have even greater pain on the field
This is hardly a new thing given all four professional sides in Wales have struggled to compete consistently for a number of years, but things are very likely to get significantly worse next season.
With the playing budgets getting lowered, and players wages being aggressively driven down the regions will be operating with smaller squads next season.
The fact it's a World Cup year makes things worse from a performance perspective given they will be without their Wales contingent for large parts of the season.
Squad sizes are expected to drop from 48-50 to 42 next season, with the Professional Rugby Board considering a loan system in the case of an injury crisis.
Efforts are being made to improve the academy and development system in Wales but that will take years to have any real bearing on performances at regional level.
These cuts have been made to put Welsh rugby on a firmer financial footing but things are likely to get a lot more painful on the field of play before it gets better.
Change in tackle height
The WRU are expected to introduce a restriction on the height of the tackle allowed at grassroots level in Wales as a response to the growing threat of long-term brain damage emanating from concussions.
Opinions are split over this, with some people believing it will have a negative impact on the game.
Whether it actually proves successful in lowering the risk of concussion remains to be seen but the WRU should be applauded for bringing in a law which attempts to make the game more secure for all its participants.
Changes in Welsh Premiership and Championship structure
The Welsh Premiership will be expanded to 14 teams next season with Pontypool and Neath getting promoted from the Championship.
Originally, the WRU proposed to cut it down to 10 teams, but this was rejected by the clubs who felt the optimum number was 14.
The most drastic change will be in the WRU Championship which is being split into east and west conferences with 12 teams per division.
Also, the WRU and Professional Rugby Board have been trying to put together plans to form a league to sit beneath the regional game and above the Premiership.
The thinking behind this idea is to bridge the gap between semi-professional level, and the United Rugby Championship in order to accelerate the development of Wales' brightest prospects.
Should it get the go ahead it would come under the control of the PRB not the Community Game Board which would be a crucial development.
Will it come to fruition? We'll find out over the next year.
A new head coach at Cardiff?
David Young is still officially Cardiff's director of rugby but given the former Wales prop has been suspended since May there's a fair chance he wont resume his position at the Arms Park.
If this is the case then Cardiff desperately need to find a new head honcho as a matter of urgency. The problem the Arms Park hierarchy will have is who is available to do the job, and more importantly who they can afford given the precarious financial position Welsh rugby finds itself in.
This new era of austerity in Welsh rugby is being felt more acutely at Cardiff due the number of players they have on their books who were in the now defunct National Squad 38.
Should Young depart the new head coach has a thankless task putting a squad together on a shoestring playing budget, but it's better he has more time to plan.
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