Iain Balshaw was today counting the cost of his drastic form loss after England boss Clive Woodward ditched him for next week's appointment with world champions Australia.
But while Balshaw reflected on hero to zero status, Henry Paul contemplated a startling rise from rugby union anonymity.
Woodward has wielded the axe ahead of Australia's November 10th arrival at Twickenham, meaning that full-back Balshaw, hooker Phil Greening and lock Simon Shaw experienced a Halloween horror show when the 26-man squad was announced last night.
The trio miss out following England's 20-14 Six Nations Championship defeat at Lansdowne Road 11 days ago. Flanker Martin Corry, sidelined for Leicester's Heineken Cup appointment with Perpignan last Saturday because of hamstring trouble, also fails to make the squad.
But New Zealander Paul, qualified through English grandparents, features after just 80 minutes' action with his new club Gloucester. Former Bradford Bulls rugby league star Paul, 20-year-old Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson and Northampton hooker Steve Thompson are the uncapped players who gained Woodward's approval.
Paul only launched his full-time union career as a Gloucester player last weekend - England assistant coach Brian Ashton watched him contribute 28 points to a 98-14 European Shield success against Caerphilly.
Woodward though, does not anticipate Paul starting any of the November Tests against Australia, Romania or South Africa, picking him as "part of a learning curve."
Balshaw, meanwhile, was hailed as English rugby's brightest young talent when he burst on to the Six Nations scene earlier this year by scoring tries against Italy, Scotland and France.
But the 22-year-old's form deserted him during the Lions tour of Australia last summer, and he experienced a nightmare afternoon in Dublin. Bath colleague Matt Perry, England's most capped full-back, is now a firm favourite to regain number 15 duties.
Backs:Kyran Bracken, Mike Catt, Ben Cohen, Matt Dawson, Will Greenwood, Austin Healey, Charlie Hodgson, Dan Luger, Henry Paul, Matt Perry, Jason Robinson, Jonny Wilkinson
Forwards:Neil Back (captain), Steve Borthwick, Danny Grewcock, Richard Hill, Ben Kay, Jason Leonard, Lewis Moody, Mark Regan, Graham Rowntree, Steve Thompson, Phil Vickery, Dorian West, Julian White, Joe Worsley.