Alun Wyn Jones could well play for Wales in the 2022 Six Nations if he responds well to a progression of his training this week.
The second row has arrived at Wales' team base to continue his rehabilitation off the back of what have been described as 'very positive' scans on the shoulder he injured against the All Blacks last autumn.
Jones, Wayne Pivac's usual captain, is not being deemed an official call-up to the Six Nations yet, although news of his arrival at the team's Vale Resort HQ did cause a stir.
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Asked if he still believed Jones could return before the end of the Six Nations, his Ospreys boss Toby Booth said: "It depends on what boxes he ticks.
"The big one from a medical point of view is the last scan, which was very positive and that's great.
"Now it comes into contact progression and no reaction.
"The last five to ten percent is really important. Then it's the ability to fulfil the role you're asked to fulfil in the game.
"The one thing I've learned about Al is that the worst thing you can say to him is that he can't do something.
"Because he'll go out of his way to prove you wrong.
"He's very committed, he's ready when he's ready and everyone is doing everything they can to get him ready as soon as possible."
The announcement earlier this week prompted questions over why Jones is suddenly with Wales if there are no prospects of him featuring in the Six Nations.
But Booth explained why it was the ideal place for him to be.
"He's done a few warm-ups with us and that's really as far as he's gone," he said.
"He's ticked off a lot of boxes. His scan results were very positive.
"From our point of view, we're preparing for a game so it makes sense that he can be more moderated, I suppose.
"He needs to do different aspects of training and not necessarily team preparation. They're in a fallow week and we're preparing a team, so it makes sense in terms of being able to pull him in and out of parts of sessions, instead of just exposing him.
"We're in constant dialogue with their medical and S&C teams. We need a joined up approach on a lot of what we do and this is a good example of that."
When returning from injury, some players want or need to play for their club sides first in order to get up to speed.
But Booth conceded that Jones' first game back could well be for his country if he passes all the relevant tests.
"It's what is right for the player and whether it fits," he said.
"If he ticks off boxes, then he'll want to play a part in the next available game.
"Whether that's internationally or for us... common sense would probably say it's for us but these things don't work out with the way the season is structured, so you have to wait and see.
"All he's got to do is take it day by day and see where it gets to."
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