The duo were sorely missed during the autumn internationals with the scrum struggling without tight-head prop Jones and James Hook failing to scale the heights of Byrne at full back.

Jones - who has 56 Wales caps - dislocated his right shoulder in the second British Lions test in South Africa but after an operation to repair the damage should return from the bench against Viadana on Saturday.

Byrne's Lions tour was also cut short by injury - the 29-year-old didn't make it beyond the first Test due to a foot problem - but after surgery is expected to pull on an Ospreys shirt again on Boxing Day against Scarlets.

Gatland received more good news this week with skipper Ryan Jones almost ready for a return from his back injury and lock Ian Evans off the treatment table.

And Ospreys boss Scott Johnson was quick to lay the credit for the speedy recovery firmly at the players' door.

"When you are talking about Adam and Lee, physically they look a million dollars so they have done their part in their preparation to get back so full credit to them," said Gatland.

"After the Lions everyone thought Adam would take it easy but he's been exemplary and his weight is now back to what it was when he went on the Lions tour. His strength is to where it was too.

"Lee is not that far away. I must give the region full credit. We have got three physios here. The Welsh give their physio a day a week as well.

"He's probably been in as good as hands as anywhere. Lee's been diligent. He looks absolutely fantastic."