The IRFU have refused to comment on reports that Irish loosehead prop Cian Healy is struggling to be fit for the Rugby World Cup.

The 27-year-old had neck surgery in May and prior to that suffered with hamstring and ankle problems in an injury-ravaged season.

That Healy had undergone surgery was revealed at a press conference following Leinster’s Pro12 victory over Treviso, when former head coach Matt O’Connor stated that the surgeon wanted to operate early in order to ensure no nerve damage.

An IRFU spokesperson said “no comment” when asked if Healy’s World Cup was in jeopardy and added that they would provide an updated report on the squad in a press conference on Tuesday at the Irish team base in Carton House.

Medical staff

While surgeons and medical staff in both Ireland and Leinster had expected Healy to recover from the disc surgery in time for Ireland’s opening pool game against Canada in the Millennium Stadium on September 19th, sources say that is now in doubt.

Healy had reported that his rehabilitation had been progressing well early in July, although reports subsequently questioned the speed of his recovery and cited numbness in his left hand, not an uncommon after-effect of disc surgery.

In recent weeks Irish coach Joe Schmidt has brought in additional front- row players to his squad, with tighthead Nathan White and loosehead Dennis Buckley coming in.

Replacement

But most eyes will fall on the burgeoning Jack McGrath as a natural replacement if Healy fails to recover.

McGrath was crucial to Schmidt's victorious Six Nations campaign and started in four of Ireland's five matches in this season's competition. The talented 25-year-old from St Mary's College also lined out against the Barbarians before being yellow carded for foul play on Georgian lock Konstantin Mikautadze.

The opening pre-World Cup match takes place against Wales on August 8th in the Millennium Stadium.