Ireland and Leinster prop Cian Healy is satisfied his recovery from neck surgery is on target and he will be fit for the Rugby World Cup.

Healy has returned to pre-season work and is delighted to be back on the training paddock “It was just complete force rest to give everything the best chance,” he told Ryan Tubridy on 2FM.

“Now we’re back into building up the muscle, and kind of build a protection layer.” Although the current sessions are short in nature, there is still plenty of intensity to his training routine.

“At the moment it’s mostly fitness. You have to shed off the summer pounds, and start building up a bit of muscle again. I would have probably one or two weight sessions a day, and am also out on the pitch running.

“It’s pretty intense what we’re doing. It’s short, you’re not dragged in for too long. They don’t make too much time with what they don’t need. They take you in, and send you home.” 2015 has proven to be a successful year so far for Ireland, securing the RBS Six Nations title for a second successive season.

The 27-year-old had mixed feelings about the competition, as injury problems meant he played second-fiddle to provincial team-mate Jack McGrath for much of the campaign.

However, he did return to the starting line-up for the final test against Scotland in Murrayfield, and despite describing his time amongst the replacements as a ‘humbling’ experience, he felt that there was a strong dynamic between himself and McGrath.

“I was in and out of the starting team, and a lot of time on the bench. It’s a first for me, and it has to be done.

“You have to be able to share time, and work as a unit. Myself and Jack (McGrath) have done that very well for the last few years. It was my turn to sit on the bench and let him start and take that role. It is [humbling to be on the bench]. It’s also quite a big drive. You do extra things. This time around I spent a lot more time doing my video work, and knowing all the roles and stuff, whereas it wasn’t as fluid when you start off in the starting role.” Taking his time as Leinster head coach into account, Healy has now worked with Irish supremo Joe Schmidt for a total of five years.

The 51-times capped international told Tubridy about the New Zealander’s obsession with rugby.

“He loves rugby. It’s all he eats, drinks and talks about. He’s the perfect man to have in that role. I’ve never come across anyone who knows more about the sport. He does so much studying and watching of it. Knowing players on different teams all over the world. It’s such a large knowledge of it to have. Knowing all that, you know how to pick teams apart then.”