Hopes that Robbie Henshaw will be clear to play for Ireland in the Six Nations could be bolstered next week if the outcome of a scan on his hand injury shows positive results.

Current estimates indicate that the Connacht star could be set for a mid-January return after suffering a fracture on his left hand but the full progress of his recovery will be assessed next week.

Connacht boss Pat Lam said:

'He’ll get another x-ray in the next week or so to see how the bone’s healing. So obviously he is not available this week. There is a possibility of maybe the Scarlets game (Jan 10th) but it may be Challenge Cup. Obviously you don’t want to take any risks until that’s firmly healed. The surgeon wants to do another x-ray to see, and we will know more from there.'

For now, signs appear to point towards a favourable outcome but undoubtedly, Pat Lam and Joe Schmidt will sweat over the results of this upcoming scan.