Cian Healy makes ‘promising’ steps in hour-by-hour battle to prove World Cup fitness

Good news for Ireland fans today

Cian Healy's hopes of playing a part in Ireland's World Cup campaign are improving as the Leinster prop gradually increases his preseason workload. The loosehead's fitness is the biggest headache facing Joe Schmidt ahead of the tournament, with Healy unlikely to see the field against Wales this weekend, Ireland's final warm-up game before the New Zealander names his final 31-man squad. Healy has taken much longer than anticipated to recover from neck surgery in May, but Irish defence coach Les Kiss today indicated that Healy increased his involvement in training this morning and was looking towards an afternoon medical update for further good news.

“It’s an hourly thing," Kiss told The Irish Times. "Each hour we get an update on it and we’ll see how that stands on Sunday night.

"We’ve got people working on the rehab things. Cian is gradually being exposed to more and more rugby. I’m not sure if we’d be able to say that’s a chance of playing (v Wales).

“He did a lot in the session today. I did some work with him at the end of the session around the contact area so some positive results coming through there. He will be assessed by the medics again at the end of the session. He did more in the session today which is promising but we need to get it from the medics."

Schmidt's other injury concerns are with Andrew Trimble and Marty Moore. There was also good news surrounding the Ulster winger's recovery from a foot injury and he is set to be available this Saturday, but tighthead Moore is still wearing a protective boot on his foot and will be further assessed on Thursday.