Ireland international Mike Ross trained with Leinster yesterday and could be called upon by Joe Schmidt for Saturday’s Six Nations clash with France.

Ross has been sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained in the Champions Cup before Christmas but Leinster backs coach Girvan Dempsey yesterday reported that the prop has made a full recovery.

Given Irish scrum issues against Wales, Schmidt may consider calling Ross into his squad for the crucial clash against the French in Paris. Cian Healy (knee injury) is also on the road to recovery but has yet to return to full contact session with the province.

Dempsey said: “Mike Ross did a full session yesterday and has no ill-effects from that. Thankfully, he’s back in the fold. That’s up to Joe and the national coaches [whether Ross is wanted for Six Nations duty]. Anyone with Mike Ross’s calibre, you’d want him in your squad.

“Cian Healy is good. He did some running yesterday. He didn’t fully participate in training. He came through that. He’ll be on the field today. We’re hopeful he can increase the volume of that and participate in some scrummaging.”

Dempsey insisted the French displayed glimpses of good form against the Azzurri despite their narrow two point win (32-21), and with the advantage of an extra day’s recovery over Joe Schmidt’s side, believes they will be dangerous and difficult opponents.

“You would imagine they will [improve]. They showed glimpses of what they could do. The Italians were excellent at what they did. A bit more composure and they could have won that game,” Dempsey said yesterday.

“France, no doubt, will improve this week and they have that extra day, in terms of recovery. It is going to be a big challenge for Ireland to try and get that recovery and get guys back on their feet, up to speed and back on the field as quickly as possible.”

With 82 international appearances as a player, Dempsey is well aware that playing in Paris is a massive challenge for any team, especially if the French take the lead.

“It’s massive. It is an incredible stadium, a brilliant atmosphere. It’s always a challenge going there. It has always been the case over the years that if you can get off to a good start and not allow France get off to a good start, you’re halfway to winning the game. If the French get their tails up, once they get a lead, it’s always hard to claw it back in Paris.”

One player who won’t be involved in Paris is Leinster winger Fergus McFadden, who was left out of the Irish squad for the opening two games of the Six Nations.

The Kildare native is hopeful that he might feature at some point in the competition, and knows that a good performance for his province against Zebre on Friday evening would aid his cause.

“He [Schmidt] just said that I wasn’t picked for the first two weeks. This is the second week of it now. After this week, we’ll see what happens,” McFadden stated.

“When you’re just back with your club, you’re just trying to put your best foot forward. If that has a knock-on effect and you end up getting picked for Ireland on the back of it, then great.”