Adam Byrne looks like being the only injury doubt for Connacht ahead of Sunday's final Interpro of the season versus Leinster, but director of rugby Andy Friend is considering changes as he seeks a response following last week's defeat to Ulster.
Byrne came off the bench to score a late try in Friday night's BKT United Rugby Championship defeat, a score which could have secured a draw for the province but for a missed Jack Carty conversion.
The former Leinster wing has scored two tries in his first four games for the province, and would have featured more this season had it not been for some niggling injuries, according to Andy Friend.
Should he come through this week he may even get a nod into the starting team, with the director of rugby suggesting he wasn't pleased with some of his players in their defeat at the Sportsground last week.
"Some players maintained their starting position, some players didn't," Friend said.
"You get a performance like that, you put a lot of people in a bracket where there's a conversation to be had about them.
"It then comes down to what we believe is sitting behind them, and how they've been training and how they're going when given opportunities."
Byrne is one of four players who joined the province from this weekend's opponents Leinster over the summer, along with prop Peter Dooley, versatile forward Josh Murphy and out-half/centre David Hawkshaw (below).
It's likely that all four will feature on New Year's Day at the RDS, with Dooley, Murphy and Hawkshaw also first-team regulars this season, while Byrne has impressed in recent weeks.
"Adam [Byrne] has been good the last few opportunities he's had, we've been very impressed with him. He's nursing a foot at the moment, so we'll see how he pulls through with that," Friend said.
"Adam's a big, physical human being who, unfortunately, has had a few niggles this season, that's why we haven't seen a great deal of him, but when he's out there you know he's there, he has a presence about him."
And the Australian coach says he's been impressed with what the former Leinster players have brought to the side, both on the field and off it.
"They're all different as you'd like them to be in their own way. If I take a bloke like David Hawkshaw, he's a real competitor. He's forever barking at people and demanding others are doing their job, and trying to control things, but he's also producing himself. He's a bundle of energy, and a nice addition to the squad.
"Peter Dooley, a lot quieter man, but goes about his work really well. He brings a level of maturity to our tight five, he's played over 100 times for Leinster.
"Josh Murphy, again a different character, but he's physical and doesn't mind mixing things at training, or being a thorn in people's sides."
While the disappointing defeat to Ulster was just a third in nine games in all competitions, it does leave the western province chasing the pack in the second half of the season, as they look to get back into the playoffs and Champions Cup qualification.
Although their fixtures list will get easier after this weekend, with the trip to Dublin being their final Interpro of the regular season, there will be just seven games left for Connacht to lift themselves up the table.
And Friend says every single point will be vital, starting with New Year's Day against Leinster, who were 10-0 winners in the reverse fixture at the Sportsground.
"We put ourselves in that corner, but what's important is you have to try get points, picking up points in every game you play now. You never go into a game thinking you can't win it. It's a big ask on Sunday night.
"You just see from their results this year, watching their performances, they're a very formidable rugby team and find ways of winning. I thought the performance at Thomond the other night was just classic Leinster. They go down to 14 men and score two tries.
"They seem to up the ante every time they're asked to. It's a big ask for us, but we know we've won there before, and it's about us trying to minimise those access areas, because this is a team that if you give them opportunities, they'll take it."
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Listen to live commentary of Ulster v Munster (5.15pm) and Leinster v Connacht (7.35pm) on RTÉ Radio 1 on New Year's Day, or follow our live blogs on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app.
Watch live coverage of Leinster v Connacht on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
