Ireland internationals Dan Sheehan and James Lowe are set to make their returns from injury in Leinster's United Rugby Championship clash with Stormers on Saturday.
The duo were both included in Simon Easterby's Six Nations squad and are set to link up with the team in Portugal on Sunday.
Hooker Sheehan has been out of action since suffering an ACL injury against South Africa last July, while winger Lowe last played in the Autumn Nations Series win over Australia in November. The Kiwi native has recovered from a calf issue.
Sheehan and Lowe, who have 27 and 36 international caps, respectively, have been regular starters for Ireland over the last few seasons.
Additionally, Will Connors, who won the last of nine Ireland caps in 2020, has recovered from a hamstring injury he picked up against Ulster at the start of December.
"All three of them are world-class players, aren't they," scrum-half Luke McGrath told RTÉ Sport.
"It gives everyone a lift to see them coming back. Dan’s been training the last few weeks and he looks great.
"It’s so good to have him back, as well as Lowey, and Will Connors has been working hard at rehab. It’s great to have the three of them back."
Ireland begin their Six Nations campaign against England in Dublin on 1 February.
Meanwhile, assistant coach Robin McBryde confirmed that Tadhg Furlong has joined up with the national team.
The 32-year prop was out for three months with a hamstring issue, missing the entire Autumn Nations Series campaign, before playing 47 minutes in Leinster's Champions Cup win over La Rochelle eight days ago.
Last week, head coach Leo Cullen suggested that keeping the Wexford man back to get some more game time against the Stormers was a possibility.
"He's away with Ireland," said the former Wales hooker.
"Discussions have been taking place between Leo and the Irish team management.
"They are aware of the situation. It’s always a tricky one to talk around
"Ideally, I think, Tadhg himself would have like to have had a few more playing minutes under his belt before going into the Six Nations campaign.
"It’s the same for all players, you get into the rhythm of playing week in, week out and your game improves as a result.
"It’s not an ideal situation sometimes and you’ve just got to get on with it."
Leinster assistant coach Robin McBryde has welcomed Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan's return to fitness from an ACL injury : "He's up there with the best. He's sound at set piece but it's obvious he has so much to offer outside of that as well" #Leinster #Irishrugby pic.twitter.com/mvHjK4l0Qh
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) January 20, 2025
Back Liam Turner and forward James Culhane will step up rehabilitation this week but have not been ruled out for the visit of the Stormers to Aviva Stadium on Saturday (5pm).
There were no further updates on Rob Russell, Michael Milne and Jordan Larmour.
Leinster have won all 13 games this season and sit top of the URC standings.
They beat Bath last Saturday to claim a top-two seeding for the Champions Cup knockouts.
