Andy Farrell has named his Ireland squad for the Rugby World Cup in France, and the big news is that veteran prop Cian Healy will miss the tournament through injury.
Healy, a stalwart of the Ireland national team since making his debut in 2009, sustained a lower leg injury during a scrum in Saturday's final warm-up game against Samoa, and left the stadium in a protective boot on crutches.
The Leinster prop had been a crucial player off the bench for Ireland during their Grand Slam triumph earlier this year, even deputising at hooker at points during the tournament, and was set to play in his fourth Rugby World Cup.
The leg injury sustained by Healy not only keeps him out of the World Cup, but is a serious setback in the twilight of a decorated playing career.
Ireland coach Andy Farrell paid tribute to the "devastated" Healy at his squad announcement, while the Irish rugby community shared their bitter disappointment that such a great servant to the team will be unable to take part in France.
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Cian Healy to miss World Cup as Ireland squad named
Only two players have played for Ireland more times than Cian Healy's 125 appearances, so his absence from the Rugby World Cup squad is a bitter blow to coach Andy Farrell and Healy's Irish teammates.
"He obviously devastated, as we are as a group for him."
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has been reacting to the news that Cian Healy is not fit to take his place in the World Cup squad. pic.twitter.com/QQzPDCBaCs— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) August 27, 2023
At the squad announcement on Sunday afternoon, Farrell expressed his and the squad's sadness that Healy will not be part of the 33-man squad in France, and said that he hoped the Leinster prop's experience would help him through the disappointment:
He's had a scan, just after we got off the plane there.
He'll be out for a spell of time that won't be right, unfortunately, for Cian and for us. It's only for the start of the competition and we'll see how his rehab goes during it. You never know, towards the backend, whether he could be a replacement or not.
It's devastating, isn't it? That's sport, that's life, that's certainly rugby. Cian's big enough and old enough and experienced enough to have been through these things before. I remember in 2013, when he was on the Lions, he got injured pretty early in the first game and had to fly home early.
He's experienced something like this, and he understands that these kind of things happen. He's obviously devastated, as we are as a group for him.
In light of Sunday's squad announcement, tributes poured in for Cian Healy from across the Irish rugby community.
Former teammates Brian O'Driscoll and Tommy Bowe were among those to share in Healy's pain, as did RTÉ rugby commentator Michael Corcoran and Sunday Game anchor Jacqui Hurley.
Devastated for @ProperChurch 💙#TeamOfUs #RugbyFamily pic.twitter.com/ZwfTEnz2AW
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) August 27, 2023
Strong squad, no huge surprises. Brutal on poor Church. Good luck boys. https://t.co/AL2YTQux4A
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) August 27, 2023
Gutted for Cian! Such bad luck https://t.co/hfBthV7ZRH
— Tommy Bowe (@TommyBowe) August 27, 2023
Feel for Cian Healy. Sport is brutal. https://t.co/5CJbnDrbPj
— Jacqui Hurley (@jacquihurley) August 27, 2023
No real shocks in that Ireland squad.
Devastated for Cian Healy. Cian Prendergast is a little unlucky, I would say but everything else is as you'd expect.— Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) August 27, 2023
Tough for Cian Healy.. https://t.co/0aS9cOPstM
— Michael Corcoran (@MichaelC_RTE) August 27, 2023
Desperately disappointed for Cian Healy. A 4th RWC would have been a fitting achievement as part of a magnificent career.
Congratulations to Earls and all the others selected, C'mon @IrishRugby. https://t.co/hAuQcWMC6i— Killian Byrne (@killianbyrne) August 27, 2023
No Cian Healy. Cruel twist of faith for one of Ireland's best
— CaolanSRugby (@CaolanSRugby) August 27, 2023
Featured image: Sportsfile
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