CIAN HEALY HAS admitted he didn’t exactly lament the recent decision by Andrew Porter to switch from loosehead to tighthead.
The 29-year old, the most experienced member of the Irish touring party in the USA and Japan with 67 caps, has had to play second fiddle to Jack McGrath for Leinster and Ireland in recent seasons.
And with Porter, one of three players here in New Jersey this week who was playing in the World U-20 Championship this time last year, coming down the fast track to senior international honours, Healy wasn’t shedding tears when the UCD man switched to the other side of the front row.
Healy said that this tour will help Porter progress his career, stressing that he had nothing to do with the recent switch.
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“I didn’t have a say in it now! But when the decision was made that he would move across I wasn’t complaining,” he says.
“That’s the thing; in Leinster he is going to be exposed to Jack, myself and (Peter) Dooley going at it, man, every chance. First stage of tighthead he was getting mentored by Rossy (Mike Ross) with Fogs (John Fogarty) telling him what to do.
“It’s a tough road he is going to have to take. He is going against two looseheads at training on tour (Healy and Dave Kilcoyne). It’s fight or flight. I don’t think he can afford not to do well there.”
Healy is just craving some quality time on the pitch. His first priority is to lead by example as an inexperienced Irish side prepare to extend their winning sequence over the USA Eagles to nine games at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday night before heading to Japan for two Tests.
Having started in just two of nine Irish appearances this season and 11 for Leinster, Healy said he knew there was little chance of being selected for the Lions.
“You can’t expect to go on a tour like that when you are on the bench.
“It is at the back of your head but I was just focused on playing rugby. I hadn’t been focused on pushing ahead of Jack for the season at all. It was just about playing as well as possible, about getting to a level where I am happy with what I am doing.”
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'I wasn't complaining' - Cian Healy on Andrew Porter's switch to tighthead
CIAN HEALY HAS admitted he didn’t exactly lament the recent decision by Andrew Porter to switch from loosehead to tighthead.
The 29-year old, the most experienced member of the Irish touring party in the USA and Japan with 67 caps, has had to play second fiddle to Jack McGrath for Leinster and Ireland in recent seasons.
And with Porter, one of three players here in New Jersey this week who was playing in the World U-20 Championship this time last year, coming down the fast track to senior international honours, Healy wasn’t shedding tears when the UCD man switched to the other side of the front row.
Healy said that this tour will help Porter progress his career, stressing that he had nothing to do with the recent switch.
“I didn’t have a say in it now! But when the decision was made that he would move across I wasn’t complaining,” he says.
“That’s the thing; in Leinster he is going to be exposed to Jack, myself and (Peter) Dooley going at it, man, every chance. First stage of tighthead he was getting mentored by Rossy (Mike Ross) with Fogs (John Fogarty) telling him what to do.
“It’s a tough road he is going to have to take. He is going against two looseheads at training on tour (Healy and Dave Kilcoyne). It’s fight or flight. I don’t think he can afford not to do well there.”
Healy is just craving some quality time on the pitch. His first priority is to lead by example as an inexperienced Irish side prepare to extend their winning sequence over the USA Eagles to nine games at the Red Bull Arena on Saturday night before heading to Japan for two Tests.
Having started in just two of nine Irish appearances this season and 11 for Leinster, Healy said he knew there was little chance of being selected for the Lions.
“You can’t expect to go on a tour like that when you are on the bench.
“It is at the back of your head but I was just focused on playing rugby. I hadn’t been focused on pushing ahead of Jack for the season at all. It was just about playing as well as possible, about getting to a level where I am happy with what I am doing.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
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