The Irish provinces unveiled their hands for Europe yesterday, - assuming the 'i's were dotted and 't's crossed without any hitches, of course - and Leinster and Munster especially must be pretty content with their lots.
Indeed, it is a measure of the backline resources at Leinster's disposal that players like James Norton, Brendan Burke, John McWeeney and David McAllister all missed out.
Norton, an ever-present in four games this season, has scored three tries in his last two outings. This time last season, Burke was the new kid on the block, going on to play 24 competitive games for Leinster in all competitions (starting their last three pool matches in the Heineken European Cup), while McWeeney and McAllister started Leinster's first three games this season.
Coach Declan Kidney admitted this quartet had been "really unlucky", adding: "they've gone really well since pre-season, so it's been a tough week, both on and off the park, for lots of the boys."
With all the Irish provinces following custom and naming 14 backs, Kidney made the point that the absence of an Austin Healey-type, multi-positional player and the need for three specialist scrumhalves limited options further out. With Leinster also liable to provide more backs to the Irish cause during the season, they are obliged to have more cover there, whereas Munster needed extra options up front.
"It isn't always a reflection on how good or bad a player is, it can be more what can get you through a tournament until the end of January," said Kidney. Two more players can be named for the knockout stages in March.
It is also a measure of the volatility and attritional nature of the modern game that, compared to last year, Leinster show 10 changes from their nominated squad (which, of course, initially included Felipe Contepomi), and Munster and Ulster nine each.
This time last year, Kieran Lewis, Leo Cullen, Denis Hickie and John Lyne were injured. Aside from those four and David Holwell, Guy Easterby and Ricky Nebbett have also joined since last year, while Anthony O'Donnell (who has joined Clontarf), Ciarán Potts and Niall Ronan have forced their way in.
Those not in the shake-up from last year's squad, in addition to the injured Keith Gleeson, Burke and McWeeney, are Enda Bohan, Niall Breslin, Derek Hegarty, Aidan Kearney, Matt Leek, Darren Molloy and Jason Moran.
Only two "overseas" players can be named in any match-day 22. Leinster have registered three - Christian Warner, Contepomi and Holwell.
Holwell was formally introduced to the media yesterday, a day after his arrival in Dublin for the first time. Laid-back, unfazed and an easy talker, he also showed a shrewdness in ingratiating himself with the locals.
"I needed a new challenge and I love the Irish people. They're very laid-back with a good sense of humour, and that's the way I live in New Zealand. To tell the truth, I find the Poms pretty arrogant so I thought Ireland would be a good place to come."
Holwell brushed aside concerns about his physical well-being. "I've been very lucky throughout my rugby career. I've tended to just break bones; my knees and my shoulders and all my muscles are good. I've broken a few bones in my hand and I broke my jaw two years ago; but I could play for another five years hopefully."
Having signed up merely until the end of the season, Holwell said: "I'm just going to take it year by year. I've got to come here and firstly perform, make the starting side and go from there, and earn the respect of my team-mates. That's all I'm concentrating on at this stage."
Holwell admitted he wasn't "the quickest number 10 you'll ever see and I've always been the smallest person on the team."
Small he may be, but television evidence would suggest he's far from shy when it comes to the physical stuff.
Munster have also named three non-EC registered players in Christian Cullen, Tom Bowman and Mike Storey. The injured Dave Pusey is the unluckiest to miss out, but given the best-case scenario he would be available for rounds five and six in the New Year, Munster opted for Trevor Hogan.
"Pusey is a quality player but Trevor has been playing exceptionally well," explained Alan Gaffney. "He's come on in leaps and bounds. He still has a lot of learning to do but he's made enormous leaps forward since last year. We're very happy with him."
The newcomers this season include Bowman, Mike and James Storey, Paul Burke and the newly acquired former Widnes winger Paul Devlin, as well as Hogan and three players injured this time last season - Denis Leamy, Alan Quinlan and Mike Prendergast.
No longer part of the set-up are Martin Cahill, Dominic Crotty, Eddie Halvey, Jason Jones-Hughes, Simon Kerr, Colm McMahon, Frank Murphy, Pusey and Jeremy Staunton.
"Garrett Fitzgerald (Munster CEO) made a comment the other day when he looked at the list and said: 'that's the strongest squad we've ever announced for Europe'," said Gaffney. "I can only go back three years, but that is obviously a very strong squad and we've got no bones about admitting it, and we're going in nigh on at full strength."
The changes in the Ulster squad underline the shift toward a younger, more indigenous profile. The nine not named 12 months ago are Kevin Maggs, Jonny Bell (injured last year), Andy Maxwell, Tommy Bowe, Andy Kershaw, Declan Fitzpatrick, Andy Jackson, Tim Barker and Campbell Feather.
The nine who've moved on or have been sidelined with injuries, are Warren Brosnihan, Ryan Constable, Robbie Kempson, Seamus Mallon, Tony McWhirter, Matt Sexton, Simon Shawe, Shane Stewart and James Topping.
