Cian Healy could line out for Leinster this weekend, in a bid to improve his match fitness ahead of the World Cup.
The loosehead prop has been unable to take part in any of the World Cup warm up games, as he continues his recovery from an operation on a neck injury in the summer.
There had been speculation the injury could keep him out of the World Cup, but he was included in the final 31-man squad last week.
Leinster are in Pro 12 action this weekend, as they welcome the Cardiff Blues to the RDS on Saturday evening.
And new Leinster coach Leo Cullen says he would welcome Healy into the team, if Ireland coach Joe Schmidt wants him to get more game time, ahead of the World Cup opener against Canada on September 19th.
“I haven’t got the phone call yet”, Cullen said.
“He’s a Leinster player. He potentially would be helpful to us if he were available. If there were people who needed games, I would have a look at the selection, what we need and what they need as well.
Cullen also feels bringing Healy to the World Cup is the right call.
“He’s a world-class player,” said the new Leinster boss.
“The Irish management made the call during the Six Nations and we saw what happened there. “That is the player Cian is. He’s got special gifts and we’re prepared to bring him into the World Cup even though he has not played so far this season, because they, and we, know what a talented players he is.
“At some stage in the World Cup he will play and then post-World Cup he will be selected for Leinster. We saw during the Six Nations exactly what he looked like and I thought he acquitted himself pretty well.
