England centre Jonathan Joseph will make his first appearance since the World Cup in Bath's Aviva Premiership match against Northampton at The Rec on Saturday - six weeks ahead of schedule.
Joseph suffered a chest injury during the World Cup and underwent surgery following England's early exit from the tournament in October.
It had been predicted that Joseph would need up to 12 weeks to recover from pectoral surgery - and that would have made him a doubt for the start of the Six Nations.
But he has taken a little under half of that time to make a return and will start in Bath's midfield alongside Ollie Devoto.
England's Six Nations campaign gets under way against Scotland at Murrayfield on February 6, which will be Australian Eddie Jones' first match in charge as coach.
Joseph will be battling with the likes of Brad Barritt, Henry Slade and Luther Burrell for a place in England's midfield, although Jones has said he is starting the selection process with a clean slate.