It's been just over seven months since Tommy Bowe confirmed that he would retire from professional rugby at the end of last season.
As the new campaign arrives, the former Ulster and Ireland wing is beginning a new adventure, with the Monaghan man about to regularly appear on our screens as he fronts Eir Sport's rugby coverage.
Bowe joined Adrian Barry on our Wednesday rugby show to discuss that transition as well as what he expects from the Irish provinces in the season ahead.
Watch the full chat on the podcast player below or video player above:
Arguably the most intriguing thing to look forward to this season is how Joey Carbery adapts to life at Munster and how the ex-Leinster player's style impacts the province's own approach.
"With what Munster have done this year, it's very exciting for them," said Bowe.
"With Simon Zebo stepping away, it's going to be a big opportunity there at 15. Haley coming from Sale, Conway, and a couple of the young players might get an opportunity to play there. Who knows, Joey Carbery might play there."
However, Carbery is most likely to get game-time at 10, with Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt keen for him to get experience in that position with the Rugby World Cup just over a year away.
"Luke [Fitzgerald] was particularly keen that 15 is [Carbery's] best position," said Bowe.
"There's no doubt about it, that there was a call between Joe Schmidt and Joey Carbery that if he wants to be involved in the Ireland Six Nations and World Cup, he needs to get more time at playing at 10.
"I would say the start of the season, it's his opportunity. The 10 jersey is his to lose. But he's still a young guy, you know. He's 22. There's a lot of pressure on his shoulders.
"I think that he's an incredible talent. He's going to take time to bed in.
"He will have a great team, a great pack around him that will look after him. He will have Conor Murray who's obviously going to miss the first few games. But Conor Murray, the talent that he has to try and help him and bring him on.
"I would love to see him playing at 10. I hope that he really relishes the opportunity to play at 10."
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