Bath's former England wing Adedayo Adebayo has revealed that he could retire from rugby at the end of this season.
Adebayo, who joined Bath 11 years ago and won six England caps between 1996 and 1998 has produced outstanding Premiership form so far this term.
But the 29-year-old is debating whether to call it a day when the current campaign his testimonial season ends in May.
``I am not sure if this is going to be my last season,'' he said, ahead of tomorrow's West Country derby between Bath and Gloucester at Kingsholm.
``I have looked at the situation, and I don't know whether mentally, I would want to go through another hard pre-season of training next summer.
``Preparation work and fitness standards have changed so much, but I won't be announcing anything until the end of the year.''
The only regret Adebayo will have when he eventually steps down is that his England career did not last longer than those six Test match appearances against Argentina (twice), Italy, Australia, New Zealand and Scotland.
``I felt that I didn't do myself justice at international level,'' he added.
``There were a combination of reasons, some that were down to me and some that weren't but I felt I had a lot more to offer.''
As for rugby's modern era, Adebayo accepts the player's way of life is achallenging one both mentally and physically.
``I couldn't have been a professional player throughout all of my career, although maybe the new generation will be able to handle it,'' he said.
``If you look at someone like Steve Borthwick, then I believe he's got the perfect balance where he is combining playing rugby with his university studies.
``I think clubs should actively encourage their young players to go out and do something else apart from play and train rugby.
``Guys like Mike Tindall here at Bath, and Jonny Wilkinson at Newcastle have got an incredibly long season ahead of them.
``They are playing international rugby virtually all year round, plus their club commitments and then there is a British Lions tour at the end of it all.
``The game is so much more physical these days, and I doubt whether guys like that will have long careers. As a back, you have to make the big tackles, you've got to stop opposition players dead in their tracks.''
If Adebayo does decide to quit, then Bath will lose one of their most consistent performers during a decade when they dominated domestic rugby and became England's first European champions.
``Winning the Heineken Cup two years ago has to be the highlight of my career,'' he recalled.
``To win a competition of that stature with the guys you train alongside week in, week out, was something that I will never forget.''
More than two years on though, it remains the last trophy Bath lifted, and Adebayo is desperate farewell season or not for more silverware.
``People keep talking about us as a developing Bath squad, but we've got to get away from that.
``I want to win something this year - enjoyment of playing the game comes from winning.''
Adebayo will make his 133rd league appearance this weekend only lock Martin Haag, of the current Bath squad, has made more having managed to keep fit-again England starlet Iain Balshaw on the replacements' bench.
``People love to call me a veteran, but I am only 29, and I enjoyed the rugby we produced in beating Wasps and Harlequins this season,'' he said.
``Competition for places is hotting up, especially on the wing, where we've got people like Iain Balshaw, Rob Thirlby and Tom Voyce. You need to be on top of your game with such talented people around.''
Adebayo has sampled the Kingsholm atmosphere numerous times, although in theory, tomorrow could be his last visit to one of England's genuinely intimidating rugby arenas.
``There is nothing better than going to Gloucester and beating them,'' he claimed.
``But the league is so competitive these days that anyone can beat anyone, a far cry from the old Bath/Leicester domination.''
You sense though, that a bulging trophy cabinet and Bath once again looking down on the rest, would be a fitting way for Adebayo to bow out.