Cory Hill's inclusion in Wales' wider World Cup training squad wasn't a total surprise.
There had been whispers that Warren Gatland would look to the man he occasionally trusted to captain his country, with the 60-cap rule no longer an obstacle for Japan-based Hill now the benchmark has been reduced to 25.
Of course, given how Hill left Wales two years ago, under a dark cloud after being involved in an unsavoury incident which resulted in a woman's home getting damaged, there will be some who do not want the second-row to resume his Test career - not without, at the very least, some sort of public show of contrition.
That may come or it may not, with Hill having apologised at the time through his representative, but it doesn't change the fact that, nearly two-and-a-half years after his last cap, Hill is back in the mix.
Clearly, there's a reason for Gatland to have selected the former Dragons and Cardiff man after two years in Japan with Yokohama Canon Eagles.
Speaking after naming his 54-man squad, the Wales coach explained his reasoning, saying: "His experience, what he's provided us in the past.
"He's an outstanding line-out caller, gives us that mobility and athleticism in that tight five and I think he'll put some real pressure on the other second rows. Will Rowlands will also give us that experience and competition in that second row."
Competition in the second-row is certainly useful, given how the position has been an area lacking depth in recent years. Will Rowlands is back and is arguably Wales' best option in the boiler room, while Adam Beard has been a constant in the last couple of years.
Alun Wyn Jones is aiming to make it to a fifth World Cup, but prior to Rowlands' Six Nations absence, he had dropped out of the starting side. Then there's the youthful options in Ben Carter, Teddy Williams, Rhys Davies, Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza.
The latter three all featured in the Six Nations and seem well-placed to compete for a World Cup squad place, while Carter and Williams are maybe a little further behind.
As for Hill, where does he fit in? Well, after two years in Japan, it's not exactly easy to quantify.
Had he not left Welsh rugby in 2021, you'd guess that Hill would be vying with Rowlands, Beard and maybe Jones for a matchday 23 place. It's not so easy to say that with any certainty though.
Plus, his return could have knock-on effects for the pecking order in general. Another experienced leader in the second-row arguably makes it easier for Gatland to make a tough call on Jones, if he wanted to shoehorn the youthful presence of any of Davies, Jenkins and Tshiunza into his squad.
What you can say is that Hill does fit the description of what Gatland is looking for. As a second-row, Hill boasts something of a rounded skillset.
He's a good lineout operator and has called Wales' lineout in the past. Defensively, he's still capable of setting the defensive line, being the lead on a spot-blitz.
In terms of carrying, he's got a mix of power and handling skills that mean he can get Wales over the gainline, while he also has an eye for a sharp line.
However, it's his mobility and his work at the breakdown that could suit Wales should he make the 33.
One of the things that is notable when watching Hill in action for Yokohama Canon Eagles is how much he gets around the park and the work he gets through.
On transition, the Japanese side use him as a kick-chase option on the blindside, with his big hit immediately putting Suntory Sungoliath on the back-foot.
Crucially, his work in the attacking clearout could be big for Wales. For years now, securing clean ball at rucks has been an issue.
Wales' efforts under Wayne Pivac were continually undermined by the inability to secure quick ball. One of the best exponents at the clearout, Josh Navidi, has just retired.
Hill isn't perhaps at the same level as Navidi, who had the desire to "smoke" people at the breakdown according to one former team-mate, but front-five clearout work has been a weakness.
Under Pivac, Wales relied heavily on prop forwards to secure ruck ball with mixed results. Hill could certainly take on some of the load in that regard.
The issues facing Wales right now - be that their inefficiency in the 22 or the inability to create speed of ball - could certainly be improved by better clearout work.
Hill appears to tick a lot of the boxes Gatland wants ticking, but his breakdown work might be the one that tips the scale in terms of making it to France.
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