Healy impresses in Scotland World Cup debut

Kilruane native Ben Healy scored 27 points for Scotland in his Rugby World Cup debut against Romania in Lille, France on Saturday night.

Scotland outclassed minnows Romania, winning 84-0 with Healy playing a pivotal part in his sides victory. The 24-year-old impressed scoring a well worked try and 11 conversions throughout the game. His try saw him beat several Romanian players after receiving an off-load from Darcy Graham.

The former Munster and now Edinburgh clubman became the second player in Rugby World Cup history to score more than ten conversions in a single match without missing one.

Healy’s performance caught the eye of Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend who praised him after the game.

"I think Ben Healy has to take a lot of credit as to how well he put people into space," Townsend said.

"I thought he managed the game very well in the first half because Romania were playing well and were very physical. He makes up the game with some very good kicks.

"In the second half the temptation was to go to the well a lot but there was also some space for him and others to go in between defenders. He did that well.

"I'm really pleased for him he's trained really well and he was professional and clinical in his performance tonight." Healy switched his allegiance from Ireland to Scotland earlier this year and it will be interesting if this performance will see him get into the match-day squad to face his native Ireland next Saturday at the Stade de France in Paris with Scotland needing to win and deny Ireland a bonus-point to advance to the quarter-finals at Ireland’s expense.