Munster forwards coach Andi Kyriacou says he's "expecting a lot" from RG Snyman, as the second row prepares for his return to action this week.
Snyman, who hasn't played since undergoing surgery on a shoulder/chest injury after the end of the World Cup, is back in full training with the province ahead of this Friday's BKT United Rugby Championship trip to the Scarlets.
"He should hopefully put himself in contention for being selected at the weekend," Kyriacou said this afternoon.
"He's been training, he's been doing everything in training. He had a good couple of tough days working, and now we're just going to keep assessing how he's going from today."
The South African is heading into his final few months at the province, ahead of his high-profile switch to Leinster in the summer.
His time at Munster has been blighted by injury, with the 29-year-old playing just 10 times in three-and-a-half seasons. Six of those appearances came in the final third of last season, as he helped the province to a surprise URC title.
And his forwards coach says he's expecting to see a similar impact from the Springbok star.
"He's probably our most experienced player in terms of knockout rugby. Two World Cups, got himself fit for the back-end of last season and our run-in, so he's just got huge leadership, and the way he speaks and conducts himself around the place is phenomenal.
"He has these great little chats with all players, young and old, and just pulls people with him.
"I'm expecting a lot from him over the next few months as he rounds things up here," he added.
The defending champions come into the game off the back of some mixed form, sitting 11th in the table at the mid-point of the regular season.
It's been three-and-a-half weeks since their last competitive game, a disappointing 26-23 defeat to Northampton Saints in the Investec Champions Cup, although they did win 21-19 in their exhibition game against the Crusaders at the start of the month.
And Kyriacou (below) says this mid-season break has allowed them straighten out a few issues.
"Those games pre-Six Nations, things were quite tight in those games and we definitely looked at the performances in that week off.
"We just had a look at what we can do better. A break is always good at this time in the season, and it's a long block for the lads who aren't necessarily used to that.
"I think just consistency of performance. Unfortunately we just had that big pile of injuries as well which is always difficult as well. When you're managing bodies and trying to get players through to the weekend."
As well as Snyman and Mike Haley both being back in full training, the province also have Conor Murray, Oli Jager and Jeremy Loughman available for selection for Friday's game in Llanelli.
"Having that week off, and getting a few bodies back in and on the field, it's allowed us to kind of up our training in terms of the intensity we can bring. We showed last year when we did that, we saw the benefits of it on-field.
"We've readdressed a few things, and that's what we've been focusing on in the last two or three weeks. The Crusaders game was great for that as well, in terms of giving lads confidence in what we are trying to do," he added.
Watch a URC double-header, Leinster v Benetton (3pm) and Cardiff v Connacht (5.15pm) on Saturday from 2.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
