Hugo Keenan: The Irish international is intensifying his training after hip surgery

Full-back Hugo Keenan will not see action for Leinster in United’s Rugby League Championship match against Connacht in Galway on Saturday. [17:30 GMT] But the Ireland international remains in contention for the Six Nations.

Keenan scored the winning try for the British and Irish Lions in their second Test against Australia to seal the series win last summer and underwent hip surgery on his return home.

The 29-year-old has not featured for club or country since, but will step up his training on the pitch for Leinster alongside Jimmy Osborne, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury sustained during Ireland’s win over Japan in November.

Both are close to returning to action, which will come as good news for Irish coach Andy Farrell, who is set to announce his squad for the Six Nations on Wednesday ahead of their opener away to France on February 5.

Elsewhere, Ciarán Frawley and Jack Coonan will be available this week as they return to training, while Jimmy O’Brien (hamstring), Robbie Henshaw (knee), Tommy O’Brien (calf) and Tadhg Furlong (calf) will be assessed later in the week.

There are no further updates on Ryan Bird, Jordan Larmour, Paddy McCarthy, Andrew Porter or Rabah Slimani.