And just like that, a new United Rugby Championship season is upon us.
This weekend, Wales' four professional sides will get their new campaigns underway, with the Scarlets and Ospreys going at it in the first Welsh derby of the season in Llanelli. Wayne Pivac's Wales side only ended their tour of South Africa mid-July, signalling the end of last term, but the URC is getting fired back up for 2022-23.
A new campaign brings renewed hope - and Welsh rugby needs a little bit of that. Last season was as dark as it gets for the Welsh sides, who all underperformed. After Christmas, dismal performances fuelled a negative atmosphere throughout the game in Wales, which led to more dismal performances.