Autumn is supposed to be the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, according to John Keats. Luckily for him, the great romantic poet was not involved with Welsh rugby.

For Wales, the turmoil continues. The season of mellow fruitfulness appears to be just a precursor to another winter of discontent, with little prospect of it being made glorious summer by the son of York or indeed anyone else involved in Welsh rugby at this moment in time.

But despite everything, we still sing, even if our voices are sotto voce. That is the tragedy and the beauty. We still rise. We still believe. Because the passion and love for Welsh rugby is not built on World Cups or Grand Slams, it is built on the first time a child clutches a rugby ball in the rain. It is built on stories told by grandparents of great victories over England, of Phil Bennett sidestepping through ghosts. It’s built on community, identity, and an unyielding belief that no matter how dark the tunnel, the dragon will roar again.

What we are witnessing is not the death of Welsh rugby but its reckoning. A time of painful truth. It must change fundamentally, structurally, spiritually. The old ways, the old arrogance, must be let go. We need leadership with integrity, not just nostalgia. We need investment, not just in stadiums, but in people in girls’ teams, in schools, in grassroots coaches who build more than players.

The soul of Welsh rugby hasn’t died, but it has been bruised, perhaps more deeply than ever. It limps where it once soared, wrapped not just in bandages, but in bureaucracy, disillusionment, and financial fragility.

With Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa to visit next month the only realistic prospect of a victory is the match against Japan, but the visitors from the land of the rising scrum will not fear the contest having beaten Wales in the drawn series in Japan during the summer.

If it is asking too much to expect the Dragon to roar, can we please just experience a little fire, heat and warmth to lighten up the dark winter days ahead.

Cymru am byth.