Bundee Aki has 'enormous motivation' to put his hands up for Lions selection as he makes his Connacht comeback on Saturday.
Aki, 31, was a surprise inclusion in Warren Gatland's squad for many.
But he is "chomping at the bit" to show what he can do again after an enforced lay-off due to a four game suspension, according to Connacht's defence coach Pete Wilkins.
All eyes will be on the westerners' away clash at Benetton, given the Italians' three-win start to the Rainbow Cup that has them in pole position to make the final against South African opposition.
Munster and Leinster will be among those teams hoping for a Connacht victory - but Connacht themselves are still in with a shout in the competition.
And a fit and highly-motivated Aki can help Andy Friend's side pull off an important victory.
"There's enormous motivation there and he'll want to put his best performance out there from the get-go in terms of putting his hand up to justify the selection, not because he needs to, but to justify his standing in terms of going into that squad," commented Wilkins.
"Also, to demonstrate form before that tour that generates momentum going into the Lions tour as well.
"Enormous motivation, but the thing about Bundee is he very rarely needs that kind of external motivation to find that drive and excitement about the game and the standards he sets himself.
"There is huge carrot for him at the end of this season, but of all the people he's someone who would thrive regardless.
"It's exciting for him and exciting for us as well to play some part in that too."
The last time Aki played for Connacht was on March 5, but it was his performance in the final Six Nations clash against England later that month that turned Gatland's head.
Aki was sent off for a high tackle in that game, leading to the suspension.
And Wilkins added: "It feels like it's been an awful long time since he's had an opportunity and I guess it's just a quirk of how the season has gone unfortunately for him.
"Credit to Bundee, he's continued to offer immense value behind the scenes.
"Whether that's in terms of his personality and the infectious character that drives the atmosphere and the energy of those around him - that's certainly been a quality of his on and off-field during this break.
"He's trained at a really high standard, he's generally been in that second team, that non-selected group that has your fringe players and a fair few young guys in there as well.
"For him to be partnering up with those guys and showing the leadership at training, not just in how he plays but calling them in and giving them advice as training goes on has been invaluable for those guys, that element of the squad.
"But he's itching to get going and be back in the competitive arena again.
"It'll be good for him, good for us and there's a pretty exciting tour on the horizon for him to build towards.
"It all adds up to a guy that's highly motivated but also very focused which at this end of the season can be a challenge but isn't for Bundee."
