The final months of 2021 were not easy for Liam Williams.
There was a cloud following around this generational talent, who almost became the living embodiment of the problems with how the professional game is set up in Wales.
Rather than talking about his actions on the pitch, fans and pundits were discussing the fact that he was hardly on it, particularly at regional level.
When his impending move from Scarlets to Cardiff was announced in January, he had played more for Wales during his second, two-year stint at the region than he had for the region itself.
Now none of this, of course, was his fault.
Injuries had hampered him and the Covid-19 pandemic hit the Scarlets harder than most with all the cancellations and logistical nightmares they endured at the end of last year.
It was hardly his fault that his return to fitness coincided with Wales' autumn window.
He was desperate to repay the Scarlets for bringing him home and he said as much before the end of Wales' last campaign, but the world had other plans.
Due to his limited appearances for the Scarlets, Williams received abuse from some fans. Some said he didn't want to be at the region, some sarcastically heralded his recovery in time for Wales' campaigns miraculous.
"A total waste of money," lamented one supporter. Williams began engaging and firing back at critics, which he was within his rights to do.
That he was subjected to such comments is all a bit ugly, especially considering the fact he gave six years of service - and played his part in a Guinness PRO12 title - to the region before he left for Saracens in 2017.
"It's tough," Williams explains.
"Due to Covid, we've been on the training pitch and not playing any games, so that's probably the hardest part about it.
"You always get these Internet trolls, who sit behind a keyboard.
"I wouldn't say I'm disappointed about it, you always get these.
"Yeah, I was there for six years before I left the first time. Over the past two years not much rugby has been played.
"What can you say? I'll do my best until the end of the season.
"I'm still with the Scarlets until the end of the season and I'll give 100% down there."
When he eventually got back on the field earlier this year, Williams and his Scarlets team-mates looked rusty after all the postponements and chaos.
The timing of runs just wasn't quite right, too much of the game passed him by. Fair enough, given the circumstances. But now that he has had a run of games, we are seeing him return to his best.
His performance against Scotland in round two of the Six Nations was his best this season. He was commanding in the air, kicked when he had to and was effective on the counter-attack.
There were no holes in his game and he will only get better the more he plays.
"I've only played two or three games mind!" he says with a wry smile.
"I had a couple of games for the Scarlets beforehand. I played okay on the weekend but there's still quite a lot to work on.
"There are areas of my game that I'd like to get better at.
"Overall, it was a pretty good performance."
Having got their Six Nations campaign back on track against Scotland, Wales will now head out on the road to face England at Twickenham next weekend.
It has not been a happy hunting ground for Wales in recent years - Wales haven't won there since the 2015 Rugby World Cup - but Williams insists he relishes the occasion.
"I think it’s a great place to play," Williams said of Twickenham.
"I actually quite like heading up to London and playing at Twickenham. I know the crowd gets on your back, but obviously that’s part and parcel of home and away games.
"It’s a place I like to play and I’ve had a good couple of games there and a couple of good wins too.
"For me personally I don’t get intimidated by any stadium, to be honest.
"I try and get energy from that and the boos and when you’re driving in, the guys flicking the Vs at you and all that. I try and get some energy from that and take it on to the pitch."
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