Ireland prop Cian Healy in World Cup fitness race

Ireland prop Cian Healy is in a race against time to be fit for the Rugby World Cup.

Loosehead Healy had neck surgery in May and is trying to get back to full fitness before Ireland's 31-man World Cup squad is named on Monday.

Defence coach Les Kiss said "each hour matters" for Healy, who may not be fit when Wales visit Dublin on Saturday.

"Cian is gradually being exposed to more and more rugby and he did a lot in the session today," said Kiss on Tuesday.

"I did some personal work with him at the end of the session around the contact area so some positive results are coming through there.

"As has been the case all the way along he'll get assessed this afternoon by the medics.

"Then we'll think forward from there about where he is going. We want to give Cian as much time as possible."

Kiss insisted Healy's chances of World Cup selection do not simply rest on whether he is fit to face Wales.

Andrew Trimble has been passed fit after suffering a foot sprain, but Marty Moore is struggling with a foot problem of his own.

Ireland launch their World Cup campaign with a Pool D match on September 19 against Canada at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.