Healy relishes first taste of action

IRELAND debutant Cian Healy was probably the happiest man in Croke Park yesterday. The Leinster prop has built quite a reputation, and he confirmed his status as the next big thing in front row play with a fine performance.

After the game Healy was still in good form: “I’m pretty happy. I’d have been a bit happier with better scrums, but that gives us something to work on. The guys supported me well and gave me a boost when I needed to get up, and I’m looking forward to playing again, hopefully.

“We’ve played some big games at Leinster, but the feeling, the buzz around it was a bit different. I enjoyed it.”