The contrast could not be more stark. The day after Wales' inglorious exit from the 2007 World Cup, coach Gareth Jenkins looked a broken man when the team returned to its base at the Vale of Glamorgan.

Sale believe they can find a way through tonight's awkward Heineken Cup match against Montauban, a cussed French outfit from the Midi-Pyrenees, without full contributions from the England internationals Mathew Tait and Andrew Sheridan, both of whom will start proceedings on the bench. Recent performances suggest they may be right.

Philippe Saint-Andre is to step down as Sale Sharks rugby director at the end of this season.

The first rugby union match to take place here at the new Wembley Stadium was staged last night to celebrate the Olympic final of 1908 at London’s White City. The gold medal went to Australia and the silver to Great Britain who were represented by the county champions Cornwall. There was no bronze for there were no other competitors.

The storm has passed. The grey, grim days filled with worry and anguish are already blurring into the memory.