Amid all the doom and gloom enveloping Welsh rugby at the moment, Wales U20s recorded their highest finish in the U20 Six Nations in five years.
A hard-fought 20-12 win over Ireland U20s at Rodney Parade was a significant step in the right direction, but the stunning victory over world champions England U20s at the Arms Park was arguably one of the greatest age-grade results in Welsh rugby history. While there were flashes of brilliance behind the scrum, both triumphs were built on a rock solid defence which thwarted anything Ireland or England could throw at them.
Against Ireland Wales made a remarkable 230 tackles, with captain Harry Beddall putting in 34 while hooker Harry Thomas and lock Tom Cottle were not far behind with 22 each. It was a similar tale against England.
The mastermind behind Wales' defensive brilliance is Scott Sneddon who is viewed by most within the game as one of the best up and coming coaches in Welsh rugby.
"We talked about building a relentless defence," he said. "We also spoke about living our principles and the boys grew as we went through the campaign.
"We can see that with the numbers. We didn't always get it right but we made up for our mistakes through working hard but generally we worked to our strength and principles.
"We were disappointing in France and Scotland but actually the other three games we were pretty pleased defensively. We finished in a good place in terms of beating England so we are now building for the World Cup.
"That England game was a tough one but it should give us a lot of belief. England are world champions and were going for the grand slam but I thought our physicality was outstanding.
"It teaches us we are not the biggest nation but we can punch above our weight and compete with the bigger nations. We didn't keep hold of the ball as much so going into the World Cup we will look at the balance of not trying to defend for as long as we did because it can be tiring.
"But when you look at the character and the way the boys have backed up in the number of involvements it speaks volumes for the culture of the group." Sneddon is not only defence coach of Wales U20s but is also transition and academy head coach at the Scarlets.
The 39-year-old cites Italy's defence coach Richard Hodges, former Ireland international Jared Payne, and Lee Blackett as major influences on his coaching career. Sneddon is responsible for nurturing some of Welsh rugby's best prospects and is confident there are a plethora of academy players not far off making their senior Scarlets debuts.
"We've seen the breakthrough of Macs Page this year," he said. "I'm confident over the next couple of years the likes of Josh Morse along with Isaac Young and Harry Thomas will come through.
"I think Ellis Price will come through. We've also got Sion Jones and Gruff Watkins come into the senior academy in the next year.
"There's also Osian Williams and Dom Kossuth. Those boys have come into the senior academy now.
"We know physically those boys are ready, it's just about getting them up to speed from a rugby point of view. Over the next couple of years we'll bring through six or seven into the senior team.
"From a senior academy point of view the exposure our boys get to the senior environment is daily. They've got to live with the pace and the physicality of senior rugby which is great for their development."
Sneddon is also extremely excited by the potential of backrower Kossuth and young Llandovery college outside-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones. Carmarthen boy Leggatt-Jones is one of the most naturally gifted footballers Wales have had in their pathway for a number of years and Sneddon is excited at helping the 17-year-old fulfil his potential.
"They are still young," Sneddon tells WalesOnline. "Dom will finish Coleg Sir Gar this year and Carwyn still has another year at Llandovery College.
"They are both talented in different ways. Physically Dom as a ball carrier, his ability to win collisions.
"That's what he's known for. He's still got a lot to learn but from a physical point of view he's nearly ready to go.
"Carwyn is one of the smartest youngsters I've come across in terms of knowing the game and playing the game. He's only 17 but he's got a lot of potential.
"Will we see that at the Scarlets? Dwayne (Peel) likes what he sees.
"He'll get his first taste of senior rugby next season and everyone is excited to see how he goes. He'll undergo a hybrid senior pre-season, so he'll get that exposure and then we'll give him support to see where he gets over the next 12 months.
"The plan for him is to play for Carmarthen Quins in the Super Rygbi Cymru and he'll get his exposure with our senior group as and when he can. That'll be the plan for him next year and he'll be balancing that alongside his academics."
Sneddon is well versed in reciting the ambition and potential of his players but what are his long-term goals? Does he see himself as a head coach at regional level one day?
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"I'm happy with my progress at the moment," he said. "Do I see it long term? Yes, I do.
"I'm passionate about developing people and players while I enjoy the environment both at Scarlets and the U20s. It's not one for now or the short-term but in the long-term the ambition is there to do it."
The Welsh Rugby Union's One Wales strategy focuses heavily on player development but they also plan to enhance the development of coaches and Sneddon is somebody who will go far.
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