It's just over three months since Keith Earls thought his season, and possibly even his career, was over.
Having endured a tortuous run of injuries in the last 18 months, the veteran winger's latest knock - a torn groin picked up in Munster's draw against the Sharks in Durban in April - appeared to be a season-ending issue.
The 35-year-old was due a lucky break on the injury front, and after the injury proved to be less serious than first feared, he was back on duty with Munster within three weeks, helping the province to a BKT United Rugby Championship title which ended their 12-year wait for silverware.
After bringing up his 98th cap on last summer's tour of New Zealand, it seemed inevitable the wing would reach his century of Test appearances, but injuries during the Autumn Nations Series and Six Nations saw him miss out on the chance to add to that haul.
His 99th cap came against Italy earlier this month, and on Saturday Earls is expected to be included in the Ireland squad to take on England at the Aviva Stadium (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player), in doing so becoming the ninth man to reach a century of Test appearances for the country.
And after struggling so badly with injury in recent seasons, he admits it's a milestone he didn't think he'd be able to hit.
"To be honest with you, I'd given up coming home on the plane," he says of that injury in April.
"I knew it was a bad one and I got the scan and we got the results, and I was like, 'That's it, I’m not going to be able to get enough games under my belt for Andy to pick me to get into the squad'.
"I was just like, 'I’m going to fizzle out here'.
"Especially with the talent coming through and the way some of the lads are playing and my injury history last year."
While Earls was out injured in the last 12 months, he's also seen other Irish wingers flourish. Mack Hansen has since established himself as Ireland's first choice on the right wing, while Jimmy O'Brien has also proved to be a valuable addition to the wider squad.
The Limerick man has credit in the bank though, and it was no surprise to see him included in the summer training squad ahead of what he hopes will be a fourth Rugby World Cup.
"I just kept the head down and I'm grateful. I’ve a great relationship with Andy [Farrell] and great trust with Andy and we’ll always be honest with each other.
"I suppose there’s that bit of pressure as well because you want to repay them as well but Andy’s just big on allowing us to be ourselves and not blowing things up too much or try anything special. It’s just be yourself, and if you are special, you’re special, but it gives you great confidence, especially as an old winger."
Earls will turn 36-years-old during the World Cup, and with his IRFU contract set to expire in November, his future in the game beyond 2023 is uncertain.
He admits to being "back and forth" on whether or not he'll be retiring, although his awkward smile upon being pressed for further details would indicate he has a strong idea what way he's leaning privately.
Whether or not he makes it to a fourth Rugby World Cup, it looks likely he'll be given the honour of his Test century against England on Saturday, joining teammates Conor Murray, Johnny Sexton and Cian Healy, as well as former internationals Brian O'Driscoll, Ronan O'Gara, John Hayes, Paul O'Connell and Rory Best in the '100 Club'.
And having spoken to some of his teammates about the occasion, he says he'll be soaking up every minute of it.
"Talking to Andy [Farrell] about if it does happen, he's telling me 'It’s not just another cap, you can’t have a normal week because it’s not a normal week.’
"Talking to Cian Healy and Johnny [Sexton], I know Cian Healy tried to drown it out and not speak about it and it caught up with him before the game, all the emotion.
"I suppose in the last couple of years I was genuinely thinking every time I stepped onto the field it could the last time. So it’s great if it does happen at the weekend. I’d be extremely proud and privileged to join a unique group.
"I've said it before, I’ve enjoyed my journey since my 50th cap, the whole way to now with Ireland. I wish I was a bit more relaxed when I was younger about it but if it happens I will enjoy this one."
In 2021 Earls revealed his history of mental health challenges, including a bipolar diagnosis, which he has been dealing with for much of his professional rugby career.
As well as that, he spoke of how he almost quit the game in 2020 due to a long-term breathing dysfunction which had been cause by an issue with his liver.
And three years on from planning to walk away from the game, he says those experiences have taught him to treat every game like it could be his last.
"It's there in the back of your head. You’re not constantly thinking about it, like, 'this could be the last’. It’s probably more of 'enjoy it, this could be the last one’.
"I got the sense it was all over when I tore my groin in Durban a couple of months ago so I know what it feels like to nearly be that low and thinking that’s it.
"That was the feeling I had – I thought that was it. I thought it could be the last time. But thankfully, I clawed my way back.
"I’m enjoying it because I’m not sure how many more there’ll be so I’ll regret not enjoying them if I don’t. I spent long enough when I was younger beating myself up and putting loads of pressure on myself. So I’m genuinely trying to get out there and enjoy it. Because who knows?"
On Saturday, he admits there's be quite a few people on his mind if he gets the chance to run out and for his 100th Test; his father Ger has often been described as one of the best players never to have been capped by Ireland.
As well as his parents, the Moyross native namechecked John Broderick and Pat Cross who brought him over to St Munchins as a teenager and made him the star of their 2006 Munster Schools Senior Cup-winning team, as well as those back in Fitzgerald Park at Thomond RFC.
"It's weird, you can get quite nostalgic and emotional on matchday and you try and think back to all those people who have helped you. And you think about your wife and your kids at home.
"I’m always texting Edel, real emotional on the day of a game and she’s like, 'Will you g’way, it’s just matchday.’ But you’re just trying to quieten your mind and make yourself feel better about it.
"But definitely, Thomond – a lot of people there especially. There isn’t too many of us get capped coming out of Thomond. There hasn’t been one since myself.
"So hopefully, I have to think about those younger kids as well, where I’m from. Hopefully there’ll be another international some day."
Watch live coverage of Ireland's Rugby World Cup warm-up games v England (19 August) and Samoa (26 August) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio, or follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie and the RTÉ News app.
