It's been a strange way to the top for Connacht winger Matt Healy. Plucked from Lansdowne in the Ulster Bank League for the 2012/13 season, Healy has gone from strength to strength in his three seasons in Galway.
But we saw Healy in an Ireland jersey before. Healy was the Ireland U-20 scrumhalf in 2009 partnering Ian Madigan, and he was the player keeping Conor Murray out of the side. That was a talented side with fellow Irish internationals Dave Kearney, Jack McGrath, Rhys Ruddock, Dominic Ryan, and Peter O'Mahony - Healy deserves to join his class in the international set-up.
Three fabulous tries (albeit against Zebre) underlines his rich form at the moment, and he's on top of the try-scoring charts of the Pro 12 at the moment.
It's not like there are a lot of players ahead of him in his position. A spot is up for grabs with Dave Kearney's injury - with injuries or doubts surrounding Tommy Bowe, Luke Fitzgerald, Simon Zebo, and Keith Earls.
Bringing Healy into the set-up gives you a flair player whose defense has improved in each of his years in professional rugby - and at 26 he's still got time on his side to learn and improve even further.
His first try against Zebre yesterday was a fantastic finish, after brilliant work in the build-up from Jake Heenan, Denis Buckley, and Ben Marshall. Heenan and Marshall effected the turnover, secured by Kieran Marmion and Eoin McKeon. With Marmion in the ruck, loosehead prop Denis Buckley prove that he has the best scrumhalf pass for a non-scrumhalf in world rugby. Simple hands gives Healy some space to beat his man before a wonderful step past ex-teammate Mils Muliaina:
