Ireland hooker Rory Best could make a return to action for Ulster's Heineken Cup clash at home to Montpellier on Friday after making an early recovery from a broken arm.
The 31-year-old suffered the injury in the November international against New Zealand, a match in which he scored a try and also played on after breaking his arm.
The initial prognosis was that Best would struggle to make the start of the Six Nations campaign for Ireland and also the final two Heineken Cup pool games for his province.
Ulster presently lead Pool 5 by three points from Leicester, with the winners set to be decided when the two sides meet at Welford Road on Saturday week.
Another international who could return this weekend is Leinster winger Fergus McFadden, who fractured his hand in the defeat to Australia in November.
McFadden took part in Leinster training today and a decision will be taken later in the week as to whether he will play in Sunday’s trip to play Castres at Stade Pierre-Antoine.
Aaron Dundon (shoulder) and Rhys Ruddock (calf) are expected to return to full training ahead of Friday's team announcement, while Shane Jennings, Leo Cullen and Luke Fitzgerald all took part in training today.
