However it certainly is for Warren Gatland, his squad and his management team.
The International game works in four-year cycles and Japan in 2019 became the national squad’s focus after the 2015 tournament concluded. The jostling for World Rugby rankings and the Pool Draws focused the initial attention but the countdown to Asia’s first hosting of the game’s showpiece event is now firmly on.
This summer is another important chapter for Gatland and his squad as they embark on a three-test tour to face South Africa and Argentina.
With just 16 games between now and Wales’ opening Pool D clash against Georgia next September, every game and every camp together is an important stepping-stone.
“We have laid out our ambition to go to Japan and to be successful in 2019 and this summer is another important step on that path,” said Wales’ head coach.
“We believe we have a squad that are capable of doing very special things. If you look at the age-profile of the squad and the international test experience we will have in 2019, we are excited about what we can do.
“We have put together a structure that will provide the squad with the very best preparation and we are continuing to build really well.
“This summer, going to Washington to face the Springboks and then down to a hot-bed of rugby for two tests in Argentina will be a great experience for the squad, especially some of the younger players.
“Last autumn, the Under Armour Series was about building our squad depth, and providing opportunities for players to experience test match rugby. We then moved into a tournament rugby phase in the Six Nations, which tested the squad in another way. This summer is about the players experiencing quality opposition, on the road – on tour, and continuing to develop.
“Some more experienced players, especially those who have played a lot of rugby in the past 12 months, and didn’t get a proper pre-season last year, will be given the summer off, to allow them to get a decent block of rest in before a full pre-season this time around and going into a Rugby World Cup year, that will be huge for them.
“For the players on tour it’s a chance to build their experience and to grab the opportunity with both hands and when they get their hands on the jersey not to let it go.”
Wales kick off their summer tour in Washington D.C against South Africa on Saturday June 2. More information and tickets can be found at www.walesvsouthafricarugby.com
They then face Argentina in back-to-back test matches on June 9 and June 16 in San Juan and Santa Fe respectively.
