‘Rivals’ help prop up No 1 Healy

Jack McGrath may be breathing down Cian Healy’s neck for Ireland’s No 1 jersey but whichever way the selection cookie crumbles today, the senior figure would prefer to see his fellow loosehead prop as a partner rather than a rival.

With Ireland front row stalwarts Healy and Mike Ross coming under pressure for their starting berths at both Leinster and Ireland, from McGrath and Marty Moore respectively, there is every reason for the incumbents to feel the heat as national head coach Joe Schmidt prepares to announce his side to face Scotland on Sunday.

Tighthead Moore has yet to earn a Test cap while McGrath marked his debut last November with a man-of-the-match performance against Samoa and followed up with caps off the bench as Healy’s replacement against Australia and New Zealand.