Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan says he's "100%" fit and ready to return to the side in this Saturday's Guinness Six Nations meeting with Italy in Rome (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).
The Leinster man missed out on the Round 2 win against France at the Aviva Stadium due to a hamstring injury, but looks set to return to the matchday squad for the trip to Stadio Olimpico, with Rob Herring still following the return to play protocols for a brain injury suffered in the 32-19 win.
"Should be all good, trained fully last week and then also yesterday and this morning," the 24-year-old said.
"The body is back to 100%, so good to go this weekend I think. Exciting challenge ahead.
"Just towards the end of the week things didn't go right. It's probably the first time I had to face an injury since I made my Leinster debut. I think it's the first game I've missed or not been available. So that was a bit of a challenge to get over.
"But it showed we have a lot of squad depth and we have a lot of competition for places. One person misses out and two lads are well capable of filling it."
With the Six Nations returning from last week's break, Ireland regathered in camp this week as attention turns to Round 3 and Italy on Saturday.
Captain Johnny Sexton remains a doubt due to a groin injury suffered in the win against France, and wasn't seen during this morning's media access to training.
Should Sexton miss out, it would almost certainly see Ross Byrne promoted to the starting side after he supplemented the captain from the bench in the opening two rounds.
Byrne has bolted back into the Irish squad in recent months, having been down the pecking order of Irish 10s for much of 2021 and 2022.
And Sheehan says his Leinster team-mate hasn't got the credit he deserves over the years.
"Over the last few years I've probably played most of my rugby under Ross at 10. I think probably the media were harsh on him over the last few years because from what I saw inside the doors of Leinster and Ireland was someone who is calm and can make plays happen.
"Everyone, I think, is really comfortable with him on both teams playing.
"I think he has everything in the locker. His game control and his ability to see space and managing the pack around him. I think most good 10s have it and Ross definitely has it.
"I’ve always found it comfortable playing with Ross. I was glad to see him coming back into the squad."
Sheehan is set to return to the squad for Round 3 but it remains to be seen whether he will start or appear off the bench, after his Leinster team-mate Rónan Kelleher impressed in his 55 minutes against the French.
It was Kelleher's own injury troubles that opened the door for Sheehan to become Ireland's starting hooker during 2022, and he says the competition at that position is as strong as ever.
"On a personal level it is tough missing those games but I think the squad depth we’ve shown, it is important over the next year or so, the squad depth is at the front of our minds. So it’s maybe a positive to take from it.
"I think a few years ago there wasn't as much depth at hooker, and now there's a good few lads, young lads coming through, of world class standard. It's probably the best, people might get comfortable if they don't have someone pushing behind, and there's certainly people pushing in behind. It drives standards and makes sure we keep it competitive.
"I think it's part of the game, especially the modern game. Injuries will come around to everyone and it's how we deal with them, There are instances where you can be in the right place at the right time, but I think you create your own luck. I don't think luck is a big part of international rugby."
Ireland reach the mid-point of the championship with maximum points from their opening games after wins against Wales and France, and are strong favourites to claim their first title since 2018, and possibly even with a Grand Slam.
But even with the final two rounds against Scotland and England appearing to be tougher - on paper at least - than the Italians, Sheehan says they have been impressive in spite of their defeats to the English and French.
"I think if you watch their two last games, they've played some seriously good attacking rugby. Some dangerous individuals, but they’re also playing some nice shape. I think our focus is on making sure we stick to our systems.
"I think sometimes maybe you can be tempted into trying to solve problems yourself, but they’re definitely a threat in the wider channels as well. We’ll be focused on making sure we stick to our processes and don’t take the foot off the gas from the first two performances."
Watch live coverage of Italy v Ireland (Saturday 2.15pm) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow our live blog on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app, or listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
Watch live coverage of France v Scotland (Sunday, 3pm) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
