Taulupe Faletau could be set to hand Wayne Pivac another Six Nations boost by finally returning to training.
There is a possibility Wales’ head coach will have the services of George North for the second half of the championship as he nears the end of a long-haul recovery from knee trouble, while there is an outside chance Alun Wyn Jones might play a part over the final round or two.
Faletau now seems to be edging towards a comeback, too, after being sidelined since the summer with an ankle injury.
His club Bath list him among several players who, they say, "will all return to training in the coming weeks".
How quickly Faletau will be able to build up his fitness remains to be seen.
But he is a player who would add value to any squad.
He proved as much during last year’s Six Nations when he was nominated for the Six Nations player of the tournament award. After moving up the gears the previous autumn, Faletau returned to his very best with a series of high-quality displays which saw him put in 77 tackles and 66 carries.
Pivac has a fine No. 8 in his squad in Aaron Wainwright, while James Ratti will also be out to make a mark, but the head coach will also doubtless be monitoring the fitness of Faletau, a player who has enjoyed world-class status for years.
Anyone doubting the 31-year-old's importance to Welsh hopes should check the Six Nations stats for 2012, 2013 and 2021, years which saw Wales win a Grand Slam and two Six Nations titles respectively.
Faletau started every game in those silverware-winning campaigns.
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