2022 is unlikely to be remembered fondly by too many in Welsh rugby.
A dire year for the national team, more uncertainty and infighting for the regions and just general dismay at the slow decline of the game in this country mean many won't be reaching for the scrapbook years from now to recall the last 12 months in a hurry.
But in the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity. For many young players, the next year brings with it the hope that opportunities to shine will arrive.
Here's just some of the young stars who could break through in 2023...
Mason Grady (centre - Cardiff)
With Dai Young light on midfield options at the moment, Grady is likely to be featuring a fair bit for the Arms Park side in the new year. That's a worry for opposition defences, given how difficult he is to stop.
A recent intercept try against Newcastle in Europe showed he's also got a fair bit of pace to burn, while his handling is pretty good as well. His potential has never been in doubt, but getting him on the park has been the issue. In that sense, 2023 could be Grady's year.
Harri O’Connor (tight-head prop - Scarlets)
More than a few Scarlets fans were left scratching their head at the signing of recent Wales cap Sam Wainwright from Saracens this season when they already have the other uncapped tight-head who was called up to South Africa last summer. Granted, Wainwright made Pivac's autumn squad and O'Connor didn't, but many believe it is the latter who could have the bigger future in the game.
The former Llandovery College student is thought of highly down west.
Harri Deaves (back-row - Ospreys)
The bright neon yellow scrum-cap isn't exactly required to notice Deaves on the pitch, but it helps.
As well as being into just about everything, he combines that work ethic with a rugby intelligence. With Justin Tipuric and Jac Morgan to lean on, he's in good hands to develop down the line.
Ryan Woodman (back-row, Dragons)
Wales U20s coach Byron Hayward has already staked his life on the Dragons back-row/second-row hybrid playing at the 2027 World Cup for Wales. Thankfully, no one is holding him to that particular assertion but it's testament to Woodman's talents he'd even say that.
He's close to breaking into the Dragons side, having been named on the bench to face Pau the other week. Before long, he might have many more than just Hayward willing to vouch for his abilities.
Archie Hughes (scrum-half - Scarlets)
As a Grand Slam-winning scrum-half, Dwayne Peel knows his onions about being a nine. So the fact he reportedly thinks very highly of young Scarlets half-back Hughes should mean a bit.
Hughes is quick, can kick, has a decent service and looks pretty dangerous around the fringes. The Scarlets are stocked with international scrum-halves, but Hughes will be hoping 2023 is the year he forces his way into the reckoning.
Efan Daniel (hooker, Cardiff)
The Treorchy Comprehensive School pupil ended up making his Cardiff debut towards the start of 2022 in the victory over Leinster. He has shown up very well for Wales U20s and will be hoping to break into the Arms Park side.
That could be tricky, given Liam Belcher has shown the sort of form that could make him an outside bet for a Six Nations squad place, but Daniel will carry on shining for the Rags in the meantime - having crossed for five tries in the Indigo Premiership so far this season.
Ethan Fackrell (back-row, RGC)
What is it with Wales and opensides? The production line has shifted from fly-halves to No. 7s in the last decade or so, with Fackrell another one to fit the mould.
Excellent over the ball and possesses a desire to hit everything that moves without ever stopping. Joined RGC from Cardiff last summer and has made an impact already in north Wales.
Harri Houston (wing - Ospreys)
The Ospreys winger may not be the biggest, but he certainly knows the way to the line.
An elusive runner, he showed his knack for scoring with his outings in the U20s Six Nations Summer Series earlier this year.
Morgan Lloyd (scrum-half - Dragons)
Another livewire scrum-half, the Dragons half-back can act as a real catalyst with the tempo be brings via his service and sniping.
Impressed during the Six Nations Summer Series with Wales U20s, but hasn't been able to build on that after being kept out since through injury. Alongside another Wales U20s star, Che Hope, the Dragons will be hoping to bring through a first genuine homegrown scrum-half starter since Jonathan Evans.
Rhys Barratt (loose-head, Cardiff)
There's a lot to like with the Cardiff loosehead. His try against Scotland U20s earlier this year showed real mobility, while he's got genuine raw power and a proper engine - a little like another Cardiff loose-head, Rhys Carre.
Was one of two Welsh players, alongside senior international Christ Tshiunza, to be named in the U20s Six Nations Summer Series team of the tournament.
Oli Andrew (wing - Dragons)
Labelled “absolutely outstanding” by Wales U20s coach Byron Hayward after his two-try display in June's victory over Scotland in Treviso.
The Dragons Academy product has been in fine form for Newport this season, sitting near the top of the Premiership try-scoring stakes with six tries to date.
Louie Hennessey (centre - Bath)
One of two Welshmen named in the NextGen XV World U18 Dream Team, centre Hennessey shone for Hartpury College as they won the ACE League title, providing power and skill in midfield as well as a knack for finding space. Having previously been in Cardiff academy, he's now at Bath.
He also stood out for Wales U18s in the Six Nations Festival amid a tough campaign for the team. That saw him named in the U20s Development side that beat Scotland in December, with Hennessey crossing for a try. You'd expect him to feature in the U20s Six Nations in the new year as a result.
Jonny Green (second-row - Harlequins)
The other Welsh player named in that U18s Dream Team, second-row Green has been a revelation at every level he has played at. Head Boy in his final year at Seaford College, he also captained the first XV at the College. In fact, while he was still in Year 13, he was called up to Wales U20s and handed a Harlequins professional contract.
Since them, he has shone for Wales U18s and made senior appearances for the English club in the Premiership Cup - starting matches against London Irish, Saracens and Northampton. Possesses all the qualities you'd want from a lock - safe as houses at the lineout, handy in the loose and puts himself around the park with equal parts grit and determination.
Will Reed (fly-half - Dragons)
With JJ Hanrahan and Sam Davies at Rodney Parade, there's a decent stable of fly-halves for Dai Flanagan to make use of. But Reed has looked a natural leader every time he's been called upon, having ended the 2021/22 season on form.
With Davies' future at the Dragons not exactly certain, it's not out of the question that Reed could go into the 2023/24 season as the main man.
Mackenzie Martin (second-row, Cardiff)
The Cardiff back-five forward originally started out as a prop, lending him the sort of power and size you simply can't coach. He's versatile, being able to cover the back-row as well as the second-row and has previously shone for Cardiff and Vale College as well as Wales U20s.
The raw materials are there - it's just a case of nurturing them.
Eddie James (centre - Scarlets)
Standing at 6ft 4in and well over 16st, the strong-running centre has already been about a bit in an effort to expand his game. He spent time in New Zealand in the summer, playing for Christchurch club Linwood.
He will have also been like a sponge to senior internationals Jonathan Davies and Scott Williams - having previously spoken about picking their brains.
Joe Roberts (centre - Scarlets)
Speaking of Davies and Williams, the succession planning down west for when Williams and Davies call it a day is already in place. Alongside James, Roberts is another centre tipped for a big future.
In fact, quite a few Scarlets fans are already pining to see them both taking their place in Peel's midfield.
Cameron Winnett (full-back - Cardiff)
A dangerous counter-attacking full-back, he had already announced himself at the end of 2021 with a try-scoring debut against Harlequins at the Stoop.
He followed that up with some stunning performances for Wales U20s on their way to the Summer Series final, highlighting his dazzling feet. Cardiff are seemingly taking things slowly with the 19-year-old, with a recent outing against the Bulls just his third senior start, but it's surely just a matter of time before he forces his way in.
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