Cian Healy blazes a trail from sensational debut to centurion

'The debut that he had was filled with line breaks. It was like he was playing centre'

Cian Healy at the IRFU High Performance Centre, Sport Ireland Campus, Blanchardstown yesterday. Picture: INPHO/Billy Stickland

Cian Healy doesn't remember much about his Ireland debut. There was the buzz of making it at Croke Park and the belated shock at seeing the gaggle of big names next to his own on the teamsheet that day in 2009.

One of the biggest was Paul O'Connell, who tipped the kick-off down in his direction and allowed the then 22-year old to launch the first bullocking run of a test career that will, barring injury, see him bring up the ton of caps in France this Saturday.