If you're an Irish rugby player and Andy Farrell's phone number flashes up on your phone the night before a squad is due to be named, it's probably not going to be good news.
Jack Conan had that sinking feeling just over a year ago.
Having suffered that long-term foot injury at the 2019 World Cup, the Covid-19 stoppage of rugby meant it was 11 months before he returned to action, before picking up a neck injury a couple of months later, which ruled him out until early 2021.
It was enough to just stall his progress when it came to an Ireland recall, but the feedback from Farrell was positive.
Within a couple of weeks he was back in the squad, injury to Caelan Doris and Peter O'Mahony's suspension ensuring Farrell would have to supplement his group for the Round 2 meeting with France.
Conan didn't play against the French, but looked buoyed by the recall a week later for Leinster against the Dragons, running out to an empty Rodney Parade to mark his 100th game for the province.
It was enough to see him get a run off the bench for Ireland against both Italy and Scotland in Rounds 3 and 4 before promotion to the starting team for the finale against England, with his try-scoring display ultimately sparking an unlikely journey to becoming a Test Lion.
At 29-years-old, he'd finally arrived.
"It was hugely important and hugely enjoyable," he said when asked about that breakthrough display against England.
"I had never played against England and I had only started, I think, once at home in the Six Nations so to start against them was massive. It's one of the teams you always want to play against when you’re growing up.
"It was a good springboard for everything else that came after that with Leinster and whatever happened over the summer so I am very fortunate and grateful to the coaches for giving me that faith and giving me the nod.
"Rugby is a landscape that is ever changing so I won’t be resting on my laurels anyway. I’ll be looking forward to bring plenty more to the table."
He agrees when asked if this has been the best 12 months of his career, before adding "so far".
Having cemented himself in Ireland's starting back row alongside Leinster team-mates Josh van der Flier and Doris, the Wicklow native wants to make up for lost time.
"I don't think you are ever at the level you want to be," he added.
"I think it's always about you get to a certain point and it's not good enough so then you need to get to the next point and you're developing your game, you're chasing this level of perfection which is unattainable but yet always right in front of you so it keeps you motivated and always pushing forward.
"It's something you think about every day. Maybe not your motivation as a whole but what you want to get out of that day and what brings you to be at your best for a training session, because you cannot come in here and train poorly, you cannot come in here and play badly.
"There’s no sense in rocking up and not being motivated for it, so the things I tell myself every morning when I wake up is that I am going to enjoy training, and if I can enjoy it, I will train well and play well.
"That is my constant motivation, because I know enjoyment brings out the best in me, and being okay with making mistakes and just always wanting to push on and be better, to stay in that moment, not always worrying about outcomes, more process driven, a moment-by-moment focus. Those are the day-to-day motivations and things I think about.
"Aside from that there is the family side of things, seeing them after games. You want to make them proud, that’s one of the biggest motivations we speak about here.
"Celebrating these big days with families. And giving them something to look forward to considering what has happened in the last few years.
"It’s an important message people are keen to express and share. We are keen to give back to the community and the country and show that there are good times ahead."
Conan is one of 11 Leinster players in Ireland's starting XV for this afternoon's Guinness Six Nations opener against Wales at the Aviva Stadium, with Tadhg Beirne the only forward playing outside the province.
While not by design, the number eight accepts there are advantages to that level of familiarity in the pack, but points out the November win against Argentina in which Ireland showed they could adapt to change.
"It definitely helps, that you're that a bit more familiar with the lads, for the sake of continuity as well, it's a similar enough pack that played in Autumn as well.
"That's what's showed in the last game against Argentina when I picked up a knock, Hendy picked up a knock, James Ryan came off early and the whole pack got shuffled around and we still went out that day and got the job done against a spirited and quality side like Argentina.
"Look it definitely helps to have so many lads from one club playing and being so used to each other.
"I think, speaking specifically for the back row, the three of us complement each other very well. It's an absolute joy to play with the two lads. You know what you're getting every single time. Their work-rate is through the roof."
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