James Ryan says the prospect of Dan Leavy and Jack Conan being involved at the business end of the season is helping to drive Leinster on towards more silverware.
Now nearing a return, Leavy tore anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments in Leinster's Champions Cup quarter-final win over Ulster last April, while Conan has been out since suffering an ankle injury at the World Cup.
"It's brilliant, Leavy's been in that gym for 10 months working his ass off which I knew he would be because he's like a dog when he gets going," said Ryan.
"He's running now, by all accounts he's flying it with the rehab which is great.
"I just think it shows you there’s nothing certain with the collision game that it is.
"It’s something we draw on with Leinster, that we’ve got guys like Jack Conan and Leavy that aren’t featuring but have been working incredibly hard.
"It's being able to draw on that and say, ‘the further we can get, the more likely it is that they can play a part this season’. It’s definitely a motivator we use.
“So it’s great that he’s doing so well. I personally can’t wait to have him back in the set-up, you know, as a player but also as a good mate of mine.”
Ryan added: "He’s actually been very well and he’s so positive, Leavy, and he’s so confident and that’s a massive strength of his because he just backs himself in absolutely everything.
"So even the rehab and even the early days, it was such a serious injury but his attitude and approach to it all was world class.
“There were never any questions about how well his rehab was going to go. As far as he saw it, he was going to smash it all.
"I think that’s probably why it’s gone so well so far. He’s got a bit to go but he’s coming on really well and it’s down to his attitude and his work ethic".
