Maybe England do want an Anglo-Welsh league after all...?

Initial talks have been held between Welsh and English rugby bosses

Less than a week ago, I was sat staring at a departures board in Brisbane, grateful for the end of a particularly lengthy campaign (but less grateful for the 24 hours of travelling still ahead of me).

Six days later, here I am penning another newsletter on Welsh rugby. The season is dead, long live the new season.

There really is no rest for the wicked.

But the fact initial talks have been held over an Anglo-Welsh league is reason enough for anyone to put the duty-free Toblerone to one side and give the keyboard another bashing.

Because, finally, it feels like Welsh rugby is trying to right the wrong that it has been regretting for a quarter of a century. For many, some sort of allegiance with our closest neighbours just feels like common sense.

Common sense in rugby isn’t a common trait, unfortunately.

The news that Bath will take on Bristol at the Principality Stadium has upset some Welsh rugby supporters, who feel the Welsh Rugby Union are allowing two English clubs to find a new market in the middle of the Welsh capital.

The fact that the four Welsh sides supposedly weren’t consulted about the decision isn’t a great look, either.

Others are not so bothered. Cardiff aren’t playing in the capital that weekend and the WRU desperately needs the cash.

But what it does show you is the perilous state of rugby as a whole. The real issue is that rugby as a sport is currently a lot of different fishermen from all over casting their line in the same small pond.

English clubs playing a league game in Wales. Last year, you had the Ospreys playing a South African side in London. Everyone is just reaching over each other, trying to grab what little attention they can - inevitably all going to the same place for it.

New Zealand Rugby Commercial chief executive Craig Fenton’s quote this week that he thinks “there are about one billion people in the world who in some form follow rugby” seems a pretty bold one, given the sport seems intent on looking in the same old spaces.

And yet, despite that, for some outside of Wales, the idea of an Anglo-Welsh league will always be a logical step too far.