Nigel Hotham, the brains behind Hamilton Boys High's world-class rugby programme, has stepped down as the school's first XV coach after a remarkable 21 years.
It was music to New Zealand ears. They had won the final of the U19s tournament that was staged in Ireland in 2007, and it was only natural that they carried over that success into the following year at U20s level with a 38-3 win in the final in Wales in June 2008.
This was the year when two worlds collided and morphed into one. Prior to 2008, World Rugby – known as IRB at the time – used to run World Cups at U21s and U19s.
Bath have announced a massive squad turnover, Stuart Hooper saying goodbye to 16 players and confirming three more signings for 2020/21 Premiership.
We had the two New Zealand head coaches in the competition – Chris Boyd of the Saints and Pat Lam of the Bears – going head to head in a Six Nations hiatus with no less than 13 players who have a New Zealand rugby connection.
Follow all the action on the RugbyPass live blog from the Heineken Champions Cup match between Ulster and Bath at Kingspan Stadium.
Elsewhere in the Champions Cup, a Jackson Willison try was not enough for Bath, which fell 19-25 at home to Harlequins.