Cian Healy writes own route back to sharpness

Cian Healy is writing his way back to full match fitness but the Ireland prop recognises it will be bigger muscles than those in his hands that will define success over a mighty Romanian scrum on Sunday.

Having come off the bench last Saturday against Canada for his first 20 minutes of rugby since undergoing neck surgery in May, the loosehead could be poised to continue his comeback this weekend when Ireland face Romania’s Oaks at Wembley Stadium in the second of four Pool D matches.

Healy has been running hard and making his presence felt around the immaculate training pitches at St George’s Park as the Irish squad have made full use of the English FA’s 330-acre, €120m state-of-the-art training facility near Burton Upon Trent. The Leinster front row has also been concentrating on the finer details of honing his body for the campaign ahead.