Cian Healy to start for Ireland against Romania

Cian Healy is expected to start for Ireland against Romania on Sunday at Wembley stadium.

The 28 year old, who surpassed fellow loosehead prop Nick Popplewell’s 51 Test matches from 1989-98 when coming off the bench against Canada, has made a remarkable recovery from surgery to repair a prolapsed disc in his neck just four months ago.

Having torn his hamstring off the bone last September, Healy only started the last Six Nations game against Scotland in March, replacing Jack McGrath in the other four matches.

McGrath will probably drop to the bench although Tadhg Furlong remains a consideration to provide cover either side of the scrum.

“Every player is fit and available for selection for the match against Romania,” said Ireland manager Mick Kearney.

This seems to provide confirmation that Robbie Henshaw has shaken off the hamstring problem, the exact nature of the injury has not been given by the Ireland management, that ruled him out of the 50-7 victory over Canada when Luke Fitzgerald deputised between Johnny Sexton and Jared Payne.

Joe Schmidt announces the team at lunch time Friday before Ireland leave St George's Park outside Burton-Upon-Trent for their pre-match London base.

Several more changes are expected, like Jordi Murphy and Chris Henry possibly making up a backrow with Peter O'Mahony or even Iain Henderson. That would see Murphy at number eight.

Devin Toner will get a chance to force his way back into the secondrow for the Pool defining games but this looks increasingly unlikely after recent showings from Henderson. Donnacha Ryan should also feature.

Another presumption is Eoin Reddan will start but Conor Murray must also tog as the only other scrumhalf in the squad. With Ian Madigan and Paddy Jackson available, the option is there for Schmidt to put Sexton on ice until Italy at the Olympic stadium seven days later.

The head coach stated after Canada that Darren Cave would feature at Wembley so Jared Payne could be another guaranteed starter rested this weekend.