Official RBS 6 Nations Rugby : Eye injury rules out Healy as Buckley and Court stand by for World Cup opener

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Cian Healy won't be fit for Ireland's World Cup opener against USA in New Plymouth

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Eye injury rules out Healy as Buckley and Court stand by for World Cup opener

8 September 2011, 10:30 am

By Sportsbeat

Tom Court and Tony Buckley are battling it out to replace Cian Healy in the Ireland front row after the Leinster prop was ruled out of their World Cup opener against USA with an eye injury.

Healy sustained the injury in the 20-9 defeat to England in last month’s final World Cup warm-up game and will not be considered for Sunday’s clash after failing to return to full training in time.

The 23-year-old, who started all of Ireland's RBS 6 Nations matches, is likely to be replaced by Ulster loosehead Court, although Declan Kidney could opt for the versatile Sale prop Buckley in New Plymouth.

Ireland expect Healy to be fit in time for the crunch clash with Australia on September 17 and have also been boosted by the return to fitness of Sean O'Brien, Gordon D'Arcy and Rob Kearney.

“Cian won't be playing at the weekend,” said Ireland team manager Paul McNaughton. “He won't resume contact work until the weekend, which was the original prognosis, so he won't be available for the USA game but will be available for the Australia game.

“He's been able to do a couple of scrums but not as much as normal.

“We're dealing from a full deck outside of Cian.

“Everybody else is fit and strong and available for selection, including Rob, Sean and Gordon D'Arcy.”