Just as those who wanted to do an Irish jig on the grave of Welsh regional rugby were reaching for their dancing shoes, two of them go and make the Pro12 play-offs. Not only that, says Robin Davey, but there are other reasons to be cheerful.
It seems the much-heralded demise of the Welsh regions was something of a damp squib, after all.
Just at the time when most, if not all, the pundits were fearful of where Welsh rugby was going – amid the sound and fury of the English and French scattering all before them – the Welsh regions have been staging something of a revival.
The Scarlets have made it to the Guinness Pro12 play-offs, comfortably enough, while only a mathematical miracle can prevent the Ospreys from joining them when the final round of matches is completed this weekend.
That would mean two Welsh regions making the play-offs for the first time – quite a change from the way things have been going in recent years.
The Scarlets revived days of yesteryear with some sparkling rugby when they overcame Connacht on their own windy patch at the Sportsground in Galway, overwhelming the hosts 30-8 and scoring five tries in the process.
They obtained a bonus point after just half-an-hour, courtesy of some scintillating rugby, two of the four tries coming from in-form wing Steff Evans, a certainty for Wales’ summer tour and unlucky not to have played in the Six Nations.
And the Ospreys put a run of four defeats behind them by rising to the occasion to see off challengers Ulster 24-10, the return of Dan Biggar proving decisive.
Even better news for the Ospreys is the return to fitness of Alun Wyn Jones after his shoulder injury and he is now expected to play at least a part in Saturday’s finale against big rivals, the Scarlets.
His presence could be a huge morale booster for such a key end of season derby between these two fiercest West Wales rivals.
Cardiff Blues are not completely out of the picture this season either, even if they did stutter a bit against lowly Zebre last Friday night, only managing a 30-24 win and failing to gain a bonus point. They also conceded three tries.
But they are still in the hunt for honours and will travel to France, against opponents yet to be determined, at the end of this month for a Euro Champions Cup play-off semi-final.
A huge success for them is flanker Ellis Jenkins, another certainty for Wales’ forthcoming tour, who has captained the Blues at the age of 22 and has been in great form.
The same could be said for Dragons back row youngster Ollie Griffiths, another right off the Welsh openside conveyor belt.
But there the comparison between the Dragons and their three regional rivals ends.
For it has been another forgettable season as the men of Gwent have once again slumped to the bottom end of the table, without an away win all season and even in danger of being overhauled by one of the Italian teams on Saturday.
That would be the final ignominy for a region which is even struggling for its very existence, hanging by a thread and dependent on a key vote for its future at a Newport RFC shareholders meeting next Tuesday.
In actual fact, even if the shareholders vote no – a real possibility – to a planned takeover of Rodney Parade by the Welsh Rugby Union, the Dragons will almost certainly resurface somewhere.
But where would be the question, and whichever way the vote goes the situation is far from ideal. Hopeless on the field and uncertain about their future off it, a complete overhaul is vital.
A yes vote on Tuesday means the Dragons will remain at Rodney Parade and gives them some hope with the arrival of Gavin Henson a marketing dream.
But a no vote will plunge them into even more uncertainty.
They come up against their closest rivals Cardiff Blues on Saturday in a game switched to Caerphilly, another farce after Rodney Parade was also booked for Newport County’s final game against Notts County, and Football League rules mean the County have priority.
So, after viewing various venues, the Dragons plumped for Caerphilly as the home venue. A sign of things to come, maybe?