Let’s say goodbye to Rugby Year 2023. The year began with high hopes and unbeaten performances by Eddie ‘Sumashu Gurabu’ Jones as Wallabies’ coach. But things went downhill from there, with odd selections, problems in The Rugby Championship, and overall disrespect towards players. The year also saw Warren Gatland paring back Welsh ambition, Steve Borthwick bringing England back to basics, and Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber preserving grumpy old men Willie le Roux and Duane Vermeulen. The year also saw a low with refereeing inconsistencies and the leak of errors in a match. However, there were also successes such as Fiji’s display of courage at the Big Dance, an early Grand Slam victory by Ireland, and progress in mental health awareness and concussion care. Despite these achievements, challenges remain for the future.