As Wales' four professional rugby sides prepare for their first pre-season fixtures this weekend, players based across the Severn Bridge may be feeling quietly relieved -- far from the uncertainty and turmoil threatening the professional game back home.
There is a level of uncertainty within the professional game in Wales not seen since the inception of regional rugby in 2003 after the Welsh Rugby Union recently announced its preference is to reduce the number of clubs from four to two.
This could change by the end of the consultation process but as it stands the livelihoods of players in Wales, especially those who are not established internationals, are on the line.
Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams has just been named captain of Gloucester and concedes there does need to be change but that doesn't stop him worrying for some of his friends back home.
"I am keeping one eye on it. I've got a lot of mates still playing in Wales, at Cardiff and the other regions," said the 30-year-old, who is back running after a hamstring injury suffered with the British & Irish Lions.
"I care about Wales and care about those boys, so hopefully they can get it sorted pretty soon.
"It's not a nice position to be in for a lot of those boys. It's the uncertainty of what is going to happen. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
"I do think it's for the better of Welsh rugby, something needs to happen, but fingers crossed it gets sorted sooner rather than later because it's the not knowing that is the tough thing.
"It's easy to say that you just have to worry about playing but that's easier said when you don't have family or a mortgage," said Williams.
"For the boys who have family and children, that's when it gets tough. It's easier when you are 21 and don't have a care in the world. I feel for the older boys."
One man who has first hand experience of this situation is former Wales backrower Jonathan Thomas, who has been appointed head coach of Super Rygbi Cymru outfit Swansea.
Thomas was a promising up and coming player who hadn't long won his first Wales cap when former WRU CEO David Moffett decided to scrap the old club system in favour of five new regions.
Luckily Thomas picked up a contract with the then Neath Swansea Ospreys but he remembers the anxiety and the uncertainty all too well.
"There'll be an element of anxiety," said Thomas.
"I was a young player at Swansea when they went into administration and there was some of the older players had left the club. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
"All I remember when you're young you're quite naive so perhaps I didn't think too deeply about the situation but the players who are international players won't worry too much because they know they're going to end up with a team, whatever that looks like.
"It's either the young players or the players that aren't international players. It's terrible, there's a level of anxiety because it's a short career, there's no guarantees and an injury could stop you at any time.
"The uncertainty is not helpful for players to bring the best out in themselves but it's also not good for players to bring the best out in themselves.
"But it's also not good for recruitment. When you're trying to plan and recruit as a coach, as a head coach or as a CEO, it's an impossible job if you don't know what the format and the finances are going to look like.
"So, the sooner we get clarity on all of that the better as a whole for Welsh rugby." Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
For now, as fans look ahead to pre-season fixtures and the new campaign, those within the game are left waiting -- and worrying. While change may be necessary, the uncertainty is already taking its toll.
For players with mortgages, families, and no guarantees, the stakes have never felt higher.