Dave Kilcoyne has spoken about his battle with Cian Healy for a starting berth in Ireland's Rugby World Cup campaign.
The Munster loosehead prop is in direct competition with Healy, who began the match against Scotland in Ireland's opener on Sunday, but Kilcoyne remains hopeful of dislodging the Leinster man.
"That is a great compliment from Cian," he said of Healy's compliments of his performance in training.
"I thought he played excellent this weekend. That competition right throughout the squad pushes everyone.
"That is what the squad needs for it to keep progressing in this competition. The more lads that you have champing at the bit, giving coaches headaches, the better for Irish rugby."
Kilcoyne also spoke about the upcoming match against Japan this weekend, and the threat that they pose to Ireland's World Cup dreams.
"We were very impressed with their performance against Russia," said Kilcoyne of the Japanese.
"We actually toured their two years ago, and we played against them - we know exactly the threats they have.
"I thought they were phenomenal against Russia. If you look at some of their finishers; [Lomano] Lemeki, [Kotaro] Matsushima, Shota Horie at hooker.
"Michael Leitch has captained the Waratahs before and he is over here doing an incredible job for Japan.
"They have threats right across the park. They play a very quick game, so we are going to have to deal with that tempo."
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