Ireland
Cian Healy hands Leinster and Ireland recovery boost
ESPN Staff
January 6, 2015
Sean O'Brien and Cian Healy arrive for Leinster training on Monday © Leinster
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Ireland loose-head Cian Healy could be back available for selection in time for Leinster's final two European Rugby Champions Cup pool matches.

The news will come as a timely boost both for Leinster and Ireland as they prepare for their Six Nations defence. Healy tore his hamstring in September and the original prognosis saw him back fit in mid-February.

But the loose-head's recovery is ahead of schedule and he could be back in action in time to face Castres on January 17. If he comes through that, and then the match against Wasps, he is likely to be back on Joe Schmidt's radar with Ireland for their Six Nations opener against Italy on February 7.

"There's a balancing act and it's about managing the risk," Leinster scrum coach Marco Caputo says in the Irish Times. "He's got a couple of boxes to tick as far as to when he's let off the leash.

"The biggest is the strength imbalance in his legs, his good leg and bad leg. He's making real progress. I think he's got his next benchmark examination next Monday and if he comes through that he'll be in the frame."

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