The week after Barry John's passing, there was probably something quite fitting about a young Welsh fly-half making his first start in the 10 jersey at Twickenham.
Wales and the fly-half position are forever intertwined, with the position demanding more attention in this country than any other. The exploits of John are a large part of the reason for that.
As the late Eddie Butler said: “Wales and the No. 10 shirt have an almost unhealthily close relationship. The vulnerability of little facing big, the chance to strut: it’s Wales all over.”
So, in his fourth cap for Wales and his first start at Test level, for Ioan Lloyd to be wearing the number 10 on his back was quite significant.
"To be honest I haven’t thought about it too much from an historic point of view," he said, days after Wales' 16-14 defeat to England in London. "I’m just trying to put my best foot forward and execute my role within the team.
"There are a lot of learnings from the first two weekends. I try not to think about external factors too much. I just try and go out there and play rugby.
"I’ve learned a lot about game management at Test level. Obviously there are very few opportunities out there so when they do come, you’ve got to be able to take them. It’s the same on the flip side. Any turnover of ball is an opportunity for the other team.
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"It’s fine margins. I think the speed of the game is a lot quicker and the physicality is something I’ll hopefully get used to. I’m enjoying the challenge.
"I think the 10 position is one of the game drivers, one of the main game leaders, so that sort of pressure is expected. It’s something that I have anticipated going into the 10 jersey. As I’ve said, I don’t try to think about it too much. I think 10s everywhere will take a lot of scrutiny, probably not as much praise as they should in other aspects.
"I think I’ve got a strong running game. I feel my kicking game is a strength and it’s about learning from the opportunities I’ve had in the past couple of weeks. I need to implement them into my game as quickly as possible."
Lloyd had to wait over 1,000 days to add to his first caps, won off the bench under Wayne Pivac. At times, having played virtually across the whole backline at Bristol, his versatility has been a curse, rather than a blessing.
But now, having enjoyed a run of games there with the Scarlets, he has his mind focused on one position in particular.
"I see myself as a fly-half," said the 22-year-old. "Obviously any opportunity to pull on the red jersey – whether it’s at prop or fly-half – I’ll take it. Fly-half is where I’ve always played and when I see myself.
"It can be frustrating at times but at the same time I did see the bigger picture with it. I do feel I’ve learned a lot through playing other positions. There is an argument for experience at 10 but at the same time, playing other positions allows you to see how they see the game. Going back to 10 now it’s helped me in that way."
With a settled position, he's also benefitted from the advice of Wales' coaches - who, in Test rugby, have been there and done it.
"Neil Jenkins has talked a lot about speed into position – and Rob Howley has as well – and also speed from catch to whatever you are going to do, whether it’s pass, kick," said Lloyd. "We’ve talked a lot through it and obviously I’ve got to see exactly what he’s talking about over the last couple of weeks. I think that little bit of a reminder has helped me a lot the last couple of weeks."
Calling the experience of playing at Twickenham "unbelievable", Lloyd also quickly shook off any comparisons with John, despite his own elusive style of running. "I would never compare myself to someone like that," he added. "I’d never have the cheek!"
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The game against England was by no means perfect, with Lloyd being caught near his own line by Maro Itoje, resulting in Ben Earl's first-half try - not that you could really place the blame on Lloyd in that instance. Still, he's philosophical about it all.
"I think that’s part of the learning process," he said. "Obviously it’s a tough way to learn. It hurt obviously but I want to try and improve on that now going into next week."
That said, there's clearly a licence for this young Welsh team to play when it's on. "We talk a lot about playing heads-up rugby, the pictures in front of us, and not being afraid to take the opportunities when they come.
"Obviously there is a fine balance between that and taking risk. I think the stuff we tried at the weekend weren’t risks. We felt they were on and that’s where the space was. Execution comes into that then and ours wasn’t good enough at times. I think that’s something we can build on."
