So God will be watching us play after all.

A saga that ran right up until this morning was finally settled when English coach Eddie Jones denied Wales their wish to have the Principality Stadium roof closed for tomorrow’s RBS 6 Nations clash.

Jones’s late decision has inevitably ruffled some feathers amongst the Welsh public - and given his nature, his reasoning could range from a tactical decision, to an attempt to strike a psychological blow, or to simply derive some self-satisfaction from being a nuisance to Rob Howley and co.

Regardless, Jones undoubtedly reveling in his role as a pantomime villain to opposition fans should not be the most pressing issue here.

The more important question, should be why do the world’s best professional players need it closed in the first place?

I have been in the stadium with the roof closed many a time myself, and fully appreciate the cauldron of noise and fervent atmosphere it helps create. Throw in a brief fire-show and some flashing lights, and supporters also enjoy the brief benefits of warmth and theatre to go with it.

However, its closure also provides the catalyst for something else – namely, a completely false environment for international players to perform in.

For all the talk of moving with the times and providing entertainment for the paying public, rugby union was never a game designed to be played in fabricated conditions.

The beauty of it, whether it be amateur, semi-professional, or international level, is that the truly great teams, players, and coaches can adapt to whatever is thrown at them.

This may mean performing in searing sunshine, blustery winds, or even torrential rain and mud.

It may mean running in a glut of tries in a comprehensive win, or instructing the forwards to ‘keep it up the jumper’ and holding on for a 6-3 victory.

One of the skills of a great kicker, whether it be at goal or out of hand, is to amend aim and power according to the conditions. Closing the roof detracts from this, and while taking aim at the posts from 40 metres in front of more than 72,000 people is easier said than done – it is markedly easier task when you don’t have so much as a light breeze to contend with.

We are constantly being reminded that today’s top players earn more money, are notably fitter, and better looked after than their predecessors. Much public attention is also now on academy training, where youngsters supposedly follow programmes more advanced and intense than ever before.

All are factors, which make the clamour for closing the roof when Wales have a home international all the more bemusing.

And yes, the now extortionate price of match tickets absolutely gives the public the right to demand entertainment – and furthermore, it was clear from the autumn that a faster and more expansive style could benefit the Welsh team every bit as much as it could the paying fans.

But this needs to be done through the millions of pounds then goes into elite coaching nowadays, and through tactical nous and utilising player skill levels and ability. Not through putting a roof over the heads of teams and individuals who earn a living from performing under pressure against the best in the world.

So whether Eddie Jones is being shrewd, sly, irritating, intelligent, manipulative, astute, or just outright annoying is sadly somewhat irrelevant.

If Wales seriously want to establish themselves as Championship contenders tomorrow, they need to beat England for the first time in the Six Nations since 2013.

And they need to do so, whatever the weather.