Healy grateful for 'extra 10 years' after neck injury

Ireland prop Cian Healy says he is "thankful" for the 10 extra years in his career after announcing his retirement from the sport.

Healy, who is Ireland's record cap holder, will end his international career after the Six Nations and call time on Leinster at the end of the season.

The 37-year-old said he was "grateful" that he was still playing after a neck injury almost ended his career in 2015.

He lost movement in his right hand after a damaged disk in his neck, but he recovered and overtook Brian O'Driscoll as Ireland's most-capped player against Australia in November.

"After that I had a different approach to rugby and how I spent my time and how much effort I put into rugby," said Healy.

"When that's nearly been taken away from you, you get a little bit more thankful for those opportunities.

"You manage to enjoy it a little bit more and I've managed to squeeze 10 years of enjoying it a bit more.

"It's all been good since then. I've been up and down and all around the pecking order, but it's still better than not doing it."

Healy said his decision to retire "was as good as done" in December and he confirmed his plans to Leinster before heading into Ireland camp for the Six Nations.

Ireland lead the Six Nations with three wins from as many matches and face France in their penultimate match on 2 March.

"Just because I've decided to retire doesn't mean I'm starting to think back about things or about the past," added Healy.

"I'm here to do a job, and ideally that job is two more wins and lift a trophy."

Healy has not ruled out playing for his boyhood club Clontarf next season when he retires from professional rugby but says his main aim "is to take a break for a while".

"I've been on a schedule from when I've been 14 so I don't know what it's like not to be on one.

"I'll go on a decent holiday and get into the workshop and get crafting things, using my hands and using my mind. Change it up a little bit."