Cian Healy looks in great shape at the moment. He appears to be on the way back to being a hugely impactful player for both Leinster and Ireland. It has been a long road to get here though. One with more bumps than anyone realised.
In an interview with Peter O'Reilly of The Sunday Times, Healy revealed that he seriously considered retirement during the summer of 2015.
I had the insurance forms filled out and everything. I was pretty much ready to sign off.
The reason why he was contemplating hanging up his boots was nerve damage which occurred during surgery on a disc in his neck. It left the prop unable to use hs right hand. The simple tasks in life such as turning a key, either in his car or door to him home, could not longer be completed with his favoured hand.
At that point I'd gone beyond being scared about playing again. I couldn't write my own name and address. It was grim enough. I couldn't put the key in the car ignition, couldn't put the key in the front door. I became left-handed at everything.
The thing about the nerve is that it's hard to see the benefits of rehab because you were getting nothing. There was no signal to the muscles to do any work so for the best part of that summer, after surgery, my hand was useless.
In September of last year, Healy was named in Ireland's World Cup squad. It's a near miracle when you consider that earlier in the summer - up until June - he was unable to open his right hand.
It was during a during a holiday in Italy that he first saw signs of improvement when his fist began to slightly open and feeling returned to his fingertips.
Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
