It's been a long time since Luke Marshall started for Ireland. It was way back in November 2013 - in Joe Schmidt's second test in charge of Ireland. Since then, the Ulster back has gone from a highly promising youngster to perennially injured.
Of course, saying that it's almost three years since Marshall's last cap doesn't quite get across the message. Joe Schmidt has now been in charge for 32 games. Here are some things that were happening in the world back in November 2013:
Leicester City were still in the Championship
Nigel Pearson was in charge, Jamie Vardy was banging them in at Championship level, as the Foxes march to the Championship title with 102 points.
David Moyes was still in charge of Manchester United
And things weren't going too badly. United were sitting in fifth, just five points from Arsenal at the top of the league.
The Heineken Cup was still a thing
But not for long, the English, French, and Welsh clubs had announced their intention to leave by November 2013.
Garth Brooks Croke Park tickets were still on sale
Best not mention the war
Conor McGregor wasn't a household name
But he was getting there. His Boston victory in August 2013, prompted the UFC to announce a Dublin event. The momentum was growing, but most of us hadn't know what was in store.
Johnny Sexton's concussion count was still at zero
Sexton's star was still rising, and his long break was nowhere near happening.
The black card was just a credit card
VISA and Mastercard were offering a black card to their customers - nothing to do with the GAA's controversial black card that came in in 2014.
Jack Grealish was still Irish
Jack Grealish made his debut for Ireland U21 in 2013, and we were winning the tug of war.
The Dab hadn't infiltrated our consciousness
Before Cam Newton and Tyrone GAA embraced the dab in 2015, no one on a GAA pitch had to witness the travesty of it. Simpler times.
George Hook still wanted Connacht to be shut down
New coach Pat Lam was still seen has a terrible move, an 'average coach', and why didn't they interview Eddie O'Sullivan?
There were only 15 Super Rugby teams
The rugby boom in Japan with the introduction of a Super Rugby team and before the Brave Blossoms were beating the South Africans in the World Cup.
No one knew who Will Grigg was
Not even his family. Back when we were freed from desire.
See Also: Joe Schmidt Names Much-Changed Starting XV For First South Africa Test
Picture credit: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE
