Leinster have given an optimistic injury update on Cian Healy, saying his surgery on his neck went well, and that they are confident he will be back in time for Ireland’s World Cup campaign.
Healy underwent surgery last Friday after seeing a specialist on Thursday, and is expected to be out for a number of months.
However, speaking on Monday, Leinster skills and kicking coach Richie Murphy gave a positive report about the surgery, and indicated that Healy would be back in time for the tournament, which begins in mid-September.
“It’s gone quite well,” Murphy said.
“They’re really happy with how the operation went. He’s got some pain relief already.
“And they’re happy that he should make it back before the World Cup.”
Healy has endured a torrid time of injuries this season, missing four months with a hamstring injury. He will be champing at the bit in his efforts to regain full fitness and take his place in the Ireland front row.
Joe Schmidt’s side have their first Pool D clash against Canada on 19 September. Before that they play warm-up games against Wales (8 and 29 August) and Scotland (15 August).
Murphy was not able to give a more specific time-frame for Healy’s return, but reiterated his belief that the loosehead would be back in time to play a part.
“It’s hard to put a firmer time-frame on it,” he said. “But they’re happy that the process went well. The relief; he’s got some relief out of that already, and once he gets into the rehab side of it, we’ll get a better idea of how long.
"They’re very confident that he’ll be back before the World Cup."
