Cian Healy’s return is key to Ireland’s chances in Rugby World Cup | Eddie Butler

Ireland’s loose-head prop missed all four warm-up games and they showed how essential he is to Joe Schmidt’s teamWe are nearly through the nasty little period between the reduction of the Rugby World Cup squads to 31 and the start of the tournament. Warm-up games in this lull, however vigorously defended by the coaches, came fraught with peril, no longer a chance to shine, but to be hurt. Now the squads have a weekend without opposition and have to manage the strange blend of relief, edginess, exhaustion, restlessness, boredom and excitement for a few more days until the start of the real thin…