They say you've got to experience the lows to fully appreciate the highs. And boy, have Wales experienced some lows this year.
The nadir came when Ange Capuozzo went dancing up the right-hand touchline of the Principality Stadium, sending Edoardo Padovani over for Paolo Garbisi to boot Italy to their first ever win over Wales in their own backyard.
A year after wrapping up the grand slam, the knives were out for head coach Wayne Pivac with 18 months to go until the Rugby World Cup. He was never in danger of actually losing his job but the pressure was significant. A disastrous tour to South Africa this summer would have put the Welsh Rugby Union in an extremely undesirable position.
