Schmidt faces tough decisions but will give Cian Healy every chance to prove fitness

"We’re just hoping the picture gets clearer as we get closer so that we can make a decision that would see him fully fit at least to start the tournament."

Joe Schmidt will cut as many as seven players from Ireland’s World Cup training squad next week.

Head coach Schmidt has been at pains to leave Ireland’s options as open as possible in the long build-up to September’s global showdown, but conceded the time for tough decisions is nigh.