Cian Healy passed fit for Ireland's World Cup opener against Canada
Monday 14 September 2015 15:20, UK
Ireland's head coach Joe Schmidt has been handed a boost ahead of the World Cup with the news that prop Cian Healy will be available for selection.
Healy, who has made 51 appearances for his country, underwent neck surgery in May and was a serious doubt for Saturday's World Cup opener against Canada.
However, the 27 year-old Leinster forward has been passed fit in time for the Pool D match at the Millennium Stadium.
"The 31-man squad are all fit and available for selection against Canada for Saturday," said Ireland team manager Mick Kearney.
"Cian's great, obviously he had a few dark days across the summer but towards the end of August he made fantastic progress.
"He's been in full training for the last two weeks and I'm delighted to report that he is available for selection at the weekend against Canada.
"I think the fact that he is available and is fit I think it's a huge boost to everyone in the squad and a huge boost to Cian as well.
"I think everyone is thrilled for him, because over the last 12 months between a couple of injuries and operations he's been out of action for a very long time. He worked incredibly hard over the course of the three or four months.
"I suppose there was a degree of pessimism about him for a while but certainly towards the end of August that all turned good and he's been really flying and in great form since then.
"And I think it would be great to see him get some game-time at the weekend."
Ireland hooker Rory Best has hailed the return of his fellow front rower but believes that Healy may have to fight for a starting place, such is the strength of the Irish pack.
"He's a world-class player and he's made an unbelievable recovery," said Best.
"But we know that about him, he has a tendency to come back really quickly and just to have that capability within your squad.
"We're very lucky to have Jack McGrath and Cian who are both fantastic looseheads, and you saw Jack really coming to the fore in the last Six Nations.
"That's put pressure on Cian and you can see the way he's responded, and the way he's come back this summer, he's hungrier than ever to come back in and to try to get that starting spot back.
"And he will be desperate to establish himself again as the world-class player that he is."
