LEINSTER could unleash South Africa lock RG Snyman against the Dragons on Friday night.
The 29-year-old Springboks forward made a summer switch from Munster and is stepping up his recovery from a foot injury.
Leinster will assess the powerhouse second rower and could include him in the United Rugby Championship clash with the Dragons at Aviva Stadium.
"He was in the unit training last week and we saw progression on Monday, he was a bit more with the team," said assistant coach Tyler Bleyendaal.
"The challenge this week is it's a short week. We've got one more training now and hopefully he's out there, he's trying to make himself available.
"He's had some bad luck but he's always really good mentally. He's applying himself and if he can get through the week he might have a shot.”
The double World Cup winner could boost a Leinster side that started the campaign with a bonus-point 33-31 win at Edinburgh.
The Dragons have won just once at Leinster – a shock 16-14 triumph at the Royal Dublin Society in 2015 – and failed to record a victory away from Rodney Parade last season.
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