Rugby:Leinster are confident of being able to deploy Luke Fitzgerald for their RaboDirect Pro12 game away to Aironi next Friday night.

The Ireland international returned to training with the province and could yet play a part in the Six Nations campaign if can gain some playing time with the province.

With Sunday’s re-scheduled Six Nations clash away to France set to rule out a large number of Ireland players, Leinster may also look to involve New Zealand-born outhalf Mat Berquist after he stepped up his training schedule having been sidelined for over five months with a knee injury.

Last Saturday’s 10-10 draw away to Glasgow saw the return of both backrow forward Dominic Ryan, who came through his first start in over three months, while winger Andrew Conway came on as a replacement after a similar lay-off.

Rhys Ruddock was rested for the game at Firhill, but is also in line to return to the panel for Friday’s game.