Well, admittedly the last time I was there was actually way back in October now

but back then they were directing Emeralds right, Sapphires/no-status J left. Hmmm. Perhaps they let Sapphires 'go right' when on longhaul too though (i.e. left for Sapphires or no-status J on shorthaul, right for Emeralds, any-status on longhaul or no-status longhaul J pax)? God, my head hurts now...you know when you just can't believe some of the things you bother trying to work out - let alone post about - on FT? I think I just had that feeling!
Suppose should also warn the OP about AYs new Y ricardo seats in C which are not convertable. Have only sat in 1c and I found the back support very good.But the pitch looked tight behind
Yeah

I have my customary 1C reserved both ways too but for once I'm approaching an AY flight with trepidation – I don’t like that feeling!

This sounds like a seriously retrograde step