Back in action.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has been handed a huge surprise boost ahead of the return of the Six Nations next week with lock Iain Henderson returning to action sooner than expected.

Schmidt was without a trio of locks for the Scotland game with Devin Toner, Tadhg Beirne and Henderson all unavailable. Henderson was expected to miss the entire championship, but has been named in Ulster’s starting line-up against Ospreys this weekend.

Ireland could welcome Tadhg Beirne back for the Italy game too, but the Munster man wasn’t named in their squad for Friday’s game against the Kings and remains a doubt.

But the return of Henderson from a hand injury is a huge boost as Ireland look to finish the campaign strongly.