Durable prop Healy set to carve name in Irish rugby history

Cian Healy makes knives away from the rugby pitch and the man labelled a "giant of the game" by coach Andy Farrell will carve out a niche for himself on Saturday by becoming Ireland's record caps winner.

The 37-year-old prop's record-breaking moment will come when he enters the fray as a replacement against Australia, the team he made his test debut against back in 2009.

In doing so he will demote his former Ireland and Leinster teammate and good friend the legendary centre Brian O'Driscoll to second spot.

O'Driscoll, who acquired the monniker from Irish rugby fans of 'In BOD we trust', will be on site to applaud Healy just as he was a fortnight ago when he equalled the record.

However, when one compares the two, O'Driscoll's record is comprised of 132 starts, with just one entry from the bench back in 1999 against Romania, while Healy has made over 40 appearances as a replacement.

Healy, who also holds the record for Leinster appearances, is as humble as they come and the first to acknowledge the gulf between him and O'Driscoll.

This despite Healy being an integral part of five Six Nations title-winning teams, including two Grand Slams (2018, 2023).

"It's very different between 'Drico' and me," Healy said earlier this month.

"I wasn't ever and will never be the player he was, so it is separated in that immediately.

"I take pride in the durability and being able to show up."

O'Driscoll for his part is phlegmatic about the landmark being taken from him especially by someone as "likeable as Cian".

"Doing it in the front row is amazing, it really is, to have that capacity and the punishment you take," O'Driscoll told Irish radio this week.

Ireland captain Caelan Doris knows Healy rather better than some, despite the 11-year age difference, as he roomed with him for four years.

"He's a great fella, very popular among the squad," said Doris, who revealed they had watched some of Healy's career highlights during the week.

"It's funny, I've obviously watched him from early secondary school days and remember him exploding onto the scene and changing what it was to be a prop.

"He was so dynamic, some of his carries back then."

'A GOOD DJ'

Doris, who watched on mouth agape in their room as Healy went through his routine of "sleeping on the ground with his legs elevated" and a succession of "cold showers", said Healy also had some "unique and obscure hobbies".

"Knife-making, did roller-blading when he was younger," said Doris.

"Big into coffee. Bit of a coffee snob."

Healy said his love for making knives came from meeting a knife maker.

"I was getting obsessed with what I was using to barbecue and I met a knife-maker who told me a bit about it," he said in 2018.

"I just thought I could do it and gave it a bash.

"If I did nothing after training I would be tormented so it's nice to have a little release."

That was a rare insight from the man himself who admits he hates the "personal stuff".

Healy, described as "a dynamic ball-carrier" and gym addict by his former Leinster and Ireland, and now Wallabies, coach Joe Schmidt, relies on others to talk him up.

Current coach Farrell is one of his greatest admirers, evidenced by keeping him in the mix despite Healy missing last year's Rugby World Cup due to injury.

"The utmost respect doesn't do it justice," said Farrell, who first came across him on the British & Irish Lions tour in 2013.

"It has been a pleasure to be able to coach him.

"Back in 2013 I was amazed at his athleticism. He would have been right in his pomp at that stage.

"He's been a world leading loose head throughout his career."

However, he is not Mr Perfect, according to Farrell, when it comes to post-match entertainment.

"Does Cian sing? No, he's terrible," said Farrell on Thursday.

"A good DJ though. It tends to be the right way, doesn't it?"