Simon Easterby admits it is not ideal that Cian Healy could arrive at the World Cup without full match fitness as the Ireland prop battles neck trouble.

Forwards coach Easterby has backed 51-cap prop Healy to complete his protracted recovery from neck surgery in May in time for Ireland's World Cup assault next month.

Easterby remains hopeful the British and Irish Lions front-rower could yet feature in the latter phases of Ireland's four World Cup warm-up contests.

Ireland start their warm-up schedule against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday, with Easterby conceding Healy's situation is being monitored "week to week".

"It's not ideal for any player not to get game time during this period, but we have to take a view of each individual and make sure we do the right thing by them," said Easterby.

"Cian is progressing nicely and working week to week with the medical team.

"We're giving him the best opportunity to get right over the next couple of weeks so we can hopefully include him towards the end of August.

"He is doing his rehabilitation programme and it's going according to plan.

"It is a week to week thing and we don't want to put too much pressure on his return.

"I think he's progressing nicely at the moment, but we're not prepared to put any timescale on it."

After Saturday's Cardiff clash, Ireland face Scotland, a return match against Wales in Dublin and a trip to Twickenham to face England to complete their World Cup warm-up run.

Belfast Telegraph