After eight months out with a knee injury Ireland international Will Connors is set to return to Leinster training this week.
The 25-year-old Kildare native was forced to undergo surgery after Ireland's Six Nations clash with Scotland in March.
The province confirmed in May that he would miss the rest of their Rainbow Cup campaign and it is only now he is fit enough to return.
Leinster take on Ulster in a United Rugby Championship inter-pro derby at the weekend before facing Connacht next weekend.
Elsewhere, Jamison Gibson-Park, who missed Ireland’s win over Argentina on Sunday with a thigh injury is set to be assessed throughout the week and may be fit enough for Friday night's game at the RDS.
Thomas Clarkson has also returned to training, that's after helping Dublin University secure a dramatic win away to Lansdowne at the weekend.
🔵 | Injury update
Thomas Clarkson has returned to full training. Will Connors due back this week. 👊💪
📰 | Read more: https://t.co/0xZL0P1wCv#FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/y1ZgcDrQl9
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) November 22, 2021
It's not all good news though for Leo Cullen with Leinster paying the price for Ireland's success in the Autumn Internationals.
Jack Conan, Johnny Sexton and James Ryan are all not available for selection this weekend after picking up injuries while on international duty.
Conan requires further assessment on the quad injury that forced him to be a late withdrawal from the Ireland side that beat Argentina.
Ryan meanwhile is following the return-to-play protocols after taking a knock to the head in that game.
Sexton then is set to be unavailable for another three to five weeks with a knee and ankle issue.
That means he's in a major race to be fit for their opening Heineken Champions Cup games next month.
Conor O’Brien and Dave Kearney are also unavailable for selection after picking up injuries in last week’s Leinster ‘A’ away win over Ulster.
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