Even with all farcical things which have happened in the last 12 months in Welsh rugby, you would likely have been disappointed if you pulled a Justin Tipuric/Alun Wyn Jones early retirement double in the sweepstakes at the start of the season.
But, four months out from the World Cup, two of Wales' most experienced players both opted to call time on their international careers within the space of 80 minutes on what should have been a quiet Friday afternoon. That's Welsh rugby, after all.
The bombshell news prompted the swathes of tributes you would expect, as well as the questions of, well, why now?
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WalesOnline understands that former Wales captain Jones had suggested to team-mates on numerous occasions throughout the season that he might not make the World Cup.
But, for the pair of them, the full reasons behind retiring now may not be known for some time. The idea that both had been given a heads up now to avoid the disappointment of non-selection down the line seems overly simplistic, especially given the training squad have yet to meet up since Gatland named it at the start of the month.
The perilous state of Welsh rugby would appear to be a factor, with one unnamed international referring to Test camps like groundhog day - essentially the same thing for the last few years. It's understood that some players have tended to look enviously at the international camps of other nations.
Certainly, the last year has been a draining one. An arduous summer ahead full of training camps could be a daunting one if the environment isn't necessarily enjoyable.
In that context, deciding not to commit towards the World Cup in France is a little more understandable. Indeed, there is the suggestion that more could follow after Tipuric and Jones. We will have to wait and see on that front, but what we do know is that the international journeys of two of Wales' greatest players are done.
Tipuric has spoken about focusing his energies on the Ospreys next season, but for Jones, his club future is not as clear. Jones' Ospreys contract is understood to run until after the World Cup.
The expectation had been that the talismanic second-row would go to France and then leave the club that he has nearly spent two decades at.
His early international retirement doesn't necessarily change that, although it begs the question on whether there would be some sort of early get-out from the contract as a deal expiring at the end of October is an unusual one in rugby, with Ospreys coach Toby Booth admitting the contract model was a "bizarre" one recently.
"He's actually still in contract until post-World Cup... with us," Ospreys boss Booth said last month. "He was obviously on a different contract model and lots of things changed and that all sort of came over to us. It's bizarre but it's the only contract we've got that finishes there."
Speaking after the Ospreys' season-ending 38-21 defeat to Cardiff, Booth said: "If it is the end, it wasn't the ending that his career deserves but it is the end of our season so we have to take that on the chin, and Al will be a person that'll never say never and that's why it's driven him to the levels that he has."
Booth also suggested there was money in his budget to keep Jones for next season should they want to, but it's understood no new deal has been tabled. There is also no guarantee that Jones will look to carry on playing domestic rugby, with nothing mentioned in his Test retirement statement.
All in all, it feels unlikely that Jones will play for the Ospreys again.
"I don't think we'll see him in an Ospreys shirt again," said Jones' former coach at the Ospreys, Sean Holley, on the BBC Scrum V podcast.
"It might be that there is a deal on the table somewhere that would require him to retire from international rugby, that is a possibility.
"But I think having a young family, so many miles in the tank and the thought of 100-odd days away [with Wales' World Cup squad], training, busting a gut like I know he will do for little reward in terms of selection would be too much for him to take. A combination of those things for Alun Wyn would be, what I'm guessing.
"I've been quite emotional about it [Jones potentially not playing for the Ospreys again]. It would be devastating.
"I don't know if he's fallen out of love with the Ospreys but I keep seeing this frown on Alun Wyn's face, he's frustrated about something, something's been going on at the Ospreys and he doesn't agree with it. The performances have shown that.
"He's one, along with Justin, who will speak their minds and will want things done right. They're used to certain standards, certain standard of player around them, a certain standard of performance, detail. For whatever reason, they haven't been getting that and it's frustrating.
"I think it's at the cost of the Ospreys. What a way to go. Wouldn't it be great for Alun Wyn to play next season with Justin Tipuric for a swansong season? They have a right go and bring some young talent through and finish on a positive note.
"For the fans not to see Alun Wyn Jones, I'm just speculating but, if that was the case it would be a real saddening."
Having spent all of his career in Wales, few would begrudge Jones a big-money move to finish his career but with a young family that does not seem the most likely option. Next week, he will link up with the Barbarians for a couple of fixtures against a World XV and Swansea.
A final outing against the latter would be fitting, given it is where he started his career. There is also talk of a send-off match for Wales in Cardiff after the World Cup, which would obviously involve Jones.
Jones may have just a handful of matches left to play. He may have a season or two left in the tank. After Friday's bombshell, we will just have to wait and see what comes next.
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