Johnny Sexton took part in Leinster training on Monday as he stepped up his comeback following facial surgery.
The Ireland captain joined his provincial team-mates as they prepared for Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup tie against Racing 92 at the Aviva Stadium, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
The Racing game will come too soon for Sexton, who sustained a cheekbone injury during Leinster's derby win over Connacht on New Year’s Day, but attack coach Andrew Goodman is pleased with how the 37-year-old is progressing.
"It’s great to have him back out there," said Goodman. "He always brings a great energy and edge to everything we do on the training pitch.
"He was looking lively out there. Great to start his progression back."
Leinster’s final game before the start of the Six Nations is against Cardiff in the BKT United Rugby Championship on 28 January, but Goodman is unsure whether Sexton would feature, given Ireland face Wales seven days later.
"It just depends on the relationship between Ireland and Leinster and what they’ve got planned in terms of their camps moving forward," he said.
"That’ll be the big deciding factor around that, and just making sure he’s healed 100%. It’s great to have him back but it was non-contact training so there’s still a lot to get through before he’s available to play.
"It was an untimely [injury] for him. He was keen to get a string of games. As you can imagine he’s just champing at the bit to get out and get some action on the field."
Tadhg Furlong also took a limited part in Leinster training on Monday. The tighthead prop has not featured since injuring his ankle against Ulster in December, having subsequently suffered a calf setback in training, but it is hoped he will be fit for the Six Nations.
"It was another step," said Goodman. "He did some unit work today.
"Exciting times coming up, the Six Nations is going to be some tournament. Tadhg is a massive part of that Irish squad, what he’s done in that No 3 shirt for both Leinster and Ireland.
"I’m sure everyone hopes he can get back for those early rounds of the competition."
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell announces his Six Nations squad on Thursday and one player who is pushing hard for inclusion is the in-form Jamie Osborne.
The versatile back has looked at home in the Leinster midfield in recent weeks and dazzled on his first Champions Cup start against Gloucester, sidestepping his way through the home defence for the third of his side’s seven tries.
"Hugely impressed. He’s just been growing week to week really," said former centre Goodman.
"We’ve talked about how rounded he is as a player and that left foot is a huge weapon for us, the length he gets on it, but there’s so much more in terms of his distribution. His short and long passes are very good and he can carry very strongly over the gainline as well. He’s a big lad.
What 👏 A 👏 Step 👏
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) January 14, 2023
You're going to want to see this one from Jamie Osborne 🤩@leinsterrugby are turning on the style at Kingsholm 👏#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/eLNCK8KLao
"It was great to see the different touches he provided for us on the weekend and his line running, his work rate off the ball.
"He has been so versatile, playing in a number of different positions. Having settled into a position, getting regular time in the midfield, it’s always helpful for players to build combinations and just to get that consistency in one position.
"He’s got some good mentors in that midfield group with Robbie [Henshaw], Garry [Ringrose], Charlie Ngatai, all those boys are a very tight group. They spend a lot of time together helping to develop each other’s games. It’s a great group of lads we’ve got there."
Watch Leinster v Racing 92 in the Heineken Champions Cup live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 2.30pm on Saturday. Listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
