The beast is back.

Ireland prop Cian Healy looks to have finally overcome a disastrous couple of injury-ridden seasons, and returned to the kind of form that made him one of the world’s best looseheads.

The Leinster prop admitted to shedding a few pounds over the summer and it appears to have seriously paid off. We’ve seen guys like him in the past carry too much muscle mass, causing them to pick up injuries more often than not.

Healy now looks fitter than ever, has stayed injury-free, and has once again become the human-wrecking ball we all know and love. He’s been immense for Leinster this season, and that form has carried over to Ireland.

An excellent shift against the Boks was followed up by a barnstorming cameo against Fiji yesterday, leaving him in prime position to overtake Lion Jack McGrath in the green jersey.

This absolute monstrous run is one of the many reasons why Schmidt will have a difficult decision on his hands when it comes to picking his starting loosehead next weekend.