They say you don't know what you’ve got until it’s gone and the absence of Garry Ringrose for Ireland on Saturday was a timely reminder of that.
The Leinster centre, who was set to win his 50th international cap, was a late withdrawal with a calf complaint on the eve of the Guinness Six Nations round three clash with Italy.
That meant Stuart McCloskey was promoted from the bench and Bundee Aki pushed out to second centre, an unfamiliar position for the Lions Test starter.
Italy made hay, taking advantage of the relatively novel midfield pairing, as they almost pulled off an unlikely shock against Andy Farrell's unbeaten side.
Watching on, it was noticeably that Ringrose’s defensive nous and instinctive decision-making in midfield was sorely missed.
"Ringrose is the glue in the middle of the field," said Eddie O'Sullivan on RTÉ Sport's Against the Head.
"Like in the old days, Brian O'Driscoll was the glue in our midfield defence. He makes all the reads, he does all the talking."
It's something that team-mate and left-winger James Lowe couldn't disagree with.
"Garry is world class," Lowe says when asked if Ireland missed the 28-year-old centre.
"Yeah, we did miss Garry. That’s it at the end of the day.
"I don’t think the two other boys in the midfield did a bad job.
"We went over there and [Italy] were physical and smart with the ball in hand. Their attack was exceptional in a lot of ways and put us under a lot of pressure.
"Normally when you get picked apart out wide it’s because things aren't going right on the inside. You are losing collisions.
"We missed Garry, I think. He’s an exceptional footballer but our two big boys certainly did a job."
It might not have gone according to script but Ireland showed true grit, minus arguably seven definite starters, including Robbie Henshaw, who may play against Scotland, to get out of Rome with five points and remain on track for the Grand Slam.
Lowe, speaking at the Tackle Your Feelings podcast launch, said the team is starting to get excited about what the next couple of weeks and months might bring.
"The good thing about it now is that fate is in our own hands, we know what we need to do to win this competition," says the 30-year-old New Zealander, who has scored eight tries in 18 caps.
"It starts with Scotland away in Murrayfield [on Sunday week].
"It’s a six-day turnaround, away from home then back at home. Recovery is going to be key but we need to make sure we are across absolutely everything.
"Scotland are playing fantastic football at the moment and they showed it with a hard-fought, ultimately a loss in France, not many teams go away there and win but they pushed them all the way to the end.
"It’s going to be tough but if we can win those games with a short turnaround, then [the Grand Slam] takes care of itself."
Now ranked number one in the world, Ireland will be one of the favourites for the World Cup in France later this year.
"It’s the pinnacle of the sport, this September so you want to put yourself in position and I guess the lead in is always important to instill confidence," added the Leinster wing.
"I guess knowing and trusting the work we’ve put in, it does work and [knowing that] performances are at the standard you need to get to.
"We as a team haven't put in an 80-minute performance yet.
"We've been good in bits and bobs and it's got us through but collectively we need to string it together for longer periods.
"That's it at the end of the day. Scotland away is going to be tough and that's our next opportunity to get better.
"It's really really tough because we say it every bloody week, 'why can't we do it?' but you've got to understand it's a combat sport and the other team are trying to rip your head off and that's part of the reason as to why, I guess."
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