The first Guinness Six Nations after a World Cup often sees a changing of the guard, with new faces emerging as a fresh four-year cycle begins.
Five PRO14 players have amassed a collective 16 weeks of bans following a card laden weekend of Rainbow Cup action.
Wyn Jones has emerged from the shadows to be one of Wales' consistent performers in the Six Nations
Wales came to Dublin with their tails up. Grand Slam winners, World Cup semi-finalists and two wins full of enterprise had given them a spring in their step.
Sport doesn’t always get the scripts it deserves. If it did, Don Bradman would have got off the mark in his final Test innings to bring his batting average up to 100, while Usain Bolt would have beaten pantomime villain Justin Gatlin in his final meaningful race.