Historically, this is the point where journalists and fans start championing players they'd like to see tour with the British & Irish Lions this summer.
A quick Google search comes up with at least half a dozen articles focusing on contenders for the trip to Australia this summer, but you'd be hard pressed to find many Welsh players in the conversation. There is a very real possibility Wales will have its lowest representation on a Lions tour since the game went open in 1995.
Selection for a Lions tour is typically based on the Six Nations leading up to the tour, and those who are part of a team which has lost 13 Test matches in a row are going to find it extremely hard going to force their way into contention. But amid all the doom and gloom which has engulfed Welsh rugby, those working within the pathway have identified a handful of emerging players they are supremely confident will tour with the Lions in the future.
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These are five players who are expected to hit the heights, not just with Wales, but the Lions too.
Sam Scott
Currently tighthead prop is an area of concern for Wales at senior level but those within the upper echelons of Welsh rugby are very excited by the potential of Llantwit Fardre RFC prospect Sam Scott. The 19-year-old is currently a part of the Bristol Bears academy and a member of the Wales U20s squad.
The 6ft 1in 18st 6lbs prop is an excellent technical scrummager who is rated highly by Wales head coach Warren Gatland. Scott is very strong at the set-piece and gets through a lot of work around the park.
Wales U20s suffered a heavy 63-19 defeat to France U20s in Vannes last weekend but the scrum and the driving lineout went well in the first half, with Scott impressing before leaving the field with a HIA. It is always difficult to judge tighthead props at age-grade level but those within the game believe he could be the real deal if injuries are kind.
"When I develop in a couple of years I think the scrum will be my point of difference," Scott told WalesOnline last June. "Obviously as a prop the set-piece is a big focus for me and I'm quite good at it, while my work rate around the park is high.
"The goal is to become a full-time pro, an international and then a Lion. I want to achieve everything I can."
There'll inevitably be a few tough lessons at scrum time to begin with but Scott is certainly a player to keep an eye on.
Jordan Morris
Currently at senior level Wales are struggling for big, explosive ball carriers capable of making significant post-contact metres but 20-year-old Dragons RFC loosehead Jordan Morris is somebody who could fit this bill in the long run.
Morris is another forward who Welsh rugby chiefs are getting very excited about. Wales U20s struggled for wins last season but Morris stood out for his explosive carrying and is a player who very rarely comes off second best in the collisions.
As a kid the converted backrower scored a remarkable 27 tries in 20 games for Pontypool Schools, beating a record previously held by Wales great Taulupe Faletau. "I'm athletic and athletic-wise I haven't really got a weakness," said Morris in an interview with WalesOnline last June.
"I'm strong, powerful, physical and fast. As a prop you don't get many fast props so I'd say that's my point of difference.
"I love having the ball in my hands and running fast with it."
Front-five forwards of Morris' physical profile who can also scrummage to a high level are in short supply.
Morris is clearly a work in progress but big things are expected of the Dragons prop who has the potential to really hit the heights over the next few years.
Morgan Morse
It will surprise nobody to see the Ospreys No 8 on this list and there are many who believe he should already be a part of Gatland's senior squad. Morse has already made a big impact at regional level with his long-range try in the Ospreys' victory over Cardiff on New Year's Day in 2024 catching the eye.
The 20-year-old is a dynamic carrier who packs a physical punch and is technically excellent at the breakdown. Morse is a high-impact player who delivers in the big moments when games are in the balance.
The former Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera pupil was magnificent in the Ospreys' stunning victory over Pau in the Challenge Cup last month. With the Welsh club trailing by 11 points with just over 10 minutes remaining Morse came to life and was a big reason the Ospreys won that game.
"He will be an international player and he will be a top quality international player if injuries are kind to him and selection is also kind to him," said Ospreys head coach Mark Jones. "We just want to make sure at the Ospreys that he's ready to not just play international rugby but thrive in it.
"That's our job, to make sure he thrives in international rugby and not just plays there."
Wales attack coach Rob Howley recently told WalesOnline in an interview Morse was likely to get called into the senior national squad to train during the Six Nations.
It would be a surprise if the Ospreys backrower did not win his first senior Wales cap this year.
Louie Hennessey
The 20-year-old Bath centre is a serious prospect who has an extremely high ceiling. A couple of years ago, while playing for Wales U20s in a narrow defeat against Ireland U20s, Hennessey was the architect of arguably the try of the championship when he ran a sharp line past the Ireland defence before an outrageous offload out the back door to Cameron Winnett put Llien Morgan over for a try at the corner.
This sublime piece of skill won many admirers - not least of all All Blacks great Sonny Bill Williams - whose offloading style was his trademark throughout an exceptional career in both codes of rugby. Hennessey recently signed a new long-term contract with English Premiership leaders Bath but is currently on loan at Cardiff.
He is an explosive carrier with a turn of pace who reads the game well both in attack and defence. At 6ft 3in and 16st 4lbs Hennessey has the size to make his mark on the senior international game but his offlading game is his real point of difference.
It really is only a matter of time before the rising Bath star breaks into the senior Wales squad and it could happen within the next couple of years. Of course, he has much to learn but Hennessey ticks a lot of boxes with his size, power, pace and high rugby IQ and is getting a lot of people at Wales' Vale of Glamorgan training base very excited.
Macs Page
The 20-year-old has already began to leave his mark on the professional game. Page was invited in to train with the senior Wales squad during the autumn and is expected to develop into an international player in the not too distant future.
Page isn't the biggest centre around but he is extremely explosive and powerful with a wicked turn of pace. In the Scarlets' opening game of the season against Benetton in Italy, Page burst into life with an explosive carry before beating three defenders with his footwork to score.
Similarly in the victory over Zebre in October Page turned four defenders all over the shop to score a stunning try built on speed, power and outrageous footwork. Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel has been smart in the way he has managed Page.
The former Swansea City academy footballer has areas of his game he needs to improve on, especially in defence but those who have worked closely with Page say he is a quick learner. He put in an assured defensive performance in the Scarlets' URC victory over Edinburgh a couple of weeks ago while also showcasing his attacking prowess.
Page has pace and power but more than anything it is his x-factor along with his ability to always beat the first man which marks him out as Wales international of the future.
