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LUKE FITZGERALD, Brian O'Driscoll and Rob Kearney could all feature for Leinster when they take on Edinburgh at Murrayfield on Friday night.
Isa Nacewa is also set to return either this week or next after suffering deep tissue bruising to his arm in the recent Heineken Cup clash against ASM Clermont Auvergne, while Shane Jennings is over the illness that ruled him out of the win over Connacht and should also feature.
Leinster are expected to have a number of their Ireland internationals – such as Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Sean O'Brien and Jonathan Sexton – also available for the trip to Edinburgh.
Kevin McLaughlin will also feature with Richardt Strauss still a couple of weeks away from full fitness after his knee injury.
The return of the internationals heralds a change in fortunes for Leinster, although whether they will return in time to resuscitate their season remains to be seen.
Redemption started with their win over Connacht at the weekend and coach Joe Schmidt is pleased with how things are progressing, especially after recording their first win in a few weeks.
"With other teams in the top half winning this weekend, we didn't lose any ground at least," he said.
"We're still just outside the play-off qualification spots and it means we've still got plenty of work to do, but at least we're close enough to be in the scramble for the semi-finals."
Even allowing for Edinburgh's poor form to date – they have just four league wins all season – Schmidt is expecting a testing encounter.
"We know from experience how difficult it is to win over in Edinburgh. A lot of our players have played under Michael (Bradley) at different levels – for Connacht, the Wolfhounds or with the Ireland senior squad when he took interim charge a few years back – and all speak highly of him.
"Edinburgh will be keen to get back to winning ways after their narrow defeats to Glasgow over the Christmas period."
He added: "Games between ourselves and Edinburgh are always tight affairs."
This is Schmidt's last chance to get some of his returning players game-time ahead of their final two Heineken Cup Pool games, which means a delicate balancing act for the coach and medical staff.
"This week is about looking after knocks and bruises and reintegrating players back into the group as a number of players haven't had much game time in recent weeks.
"It can be easy to allow your mind to drift because January is shaping up to be a big month for us in the context of the season across both competitions, but we're very much focused on Edinburgh and what is sure to be another stiff test this weekend," he said.
