Geordan Murphy's international lay-off will finally end tomorrow and the Leicester star has given Ireland fans the news they have been waiting for - he is back to his explosive best.
Murphy was sidelined for six months after suffering a broken leg in the World Cup warm-up clash with Scotland last September, forcing the 25-year-old flyer to embark on an intensive rehabilitation programme.
Three appearances for the Tigers confirmed that he had made a full recovery and Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has shown no hesitation in pitching him straight back into the Test arena.
Italy at Lansdowne Road is the next item on Ireland's RBS Six Nations agenda and they will provide Murphy with the international comeback he knew was waiting for him when his injury heartache was over.
"I always wanted to be back in action by the end of February and from then it was only going to be a matter of time before I was willing to rejoin the Ireland squad and tell Eddie I was ready to play," he said.
"The three games that I've had for Leicester have really helped. They've been tough matches so once I got through them I felt mentally right to play international rugby again.
"The medical supervision that I've had has been fantastic. They reassured me that my leg will be fine and that I would be back to 100%. I've even been told that the leg I broke is now stronger than the other one.
"Obviously there were a few dark moments when I thought that I'd been playing well and maybe I would never get back to that level, but they passed very quickly. Now I feel as fit and strong as ever."
Tyrone Howe is the victim of Murphy's return to fitness - he has lost his place on the left wing in the only change to the side which humbled world champions England 19-13 on their own turf.
"My return was a tough call for Eddie to make after that fantastic win against England. None of the guys did anything wrong so it was very harsh to drop anyone. From that point of view I feel for Tyrone," said Murphy.