Wales and Cardiff Blues lock Robert Sidoli has two games to prove himself ready for the Six Nations.
The 27-year-old had shoulder surgery in November and returns against Bourgoin, two weeks earlier than expected.
Wales' Six Nations squad is named on Monday and the Blues face Glasgow the following Friday, with Ireland set to play Wales in Cardiff on 4 February.
"It's been hard watching, but I've had a good rest over Christmas and I'm happy with the recovery," said Sidoli.
The return of of 6ft 6in Merthyr-man Sidoli, who won his 37th cap as a replacement against Canada in November, will be a major boost for Wales.
He competed with Ian Evans for the starting middle-line jumper berth during the autumn internationals.
With Evans now ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury, his Ospreys second-row partner Alun Wyn Jones looks to be in pole position to claim the Wales number five jersey, Luke Charteris an outsider.
"I feel fresh mentally which is sometimes as important as the physical side"
Another Osprey, Brent Cockbain, is set to contest the front-jumper role with the Dragons' Ian Gough.
Wales flanker Martyn Williams also returns for the Blues against Bourgoin, following a three-week ban for a red card against the Ospreys on 23 December.
"I've been keeping up the fitness side over the last few weeks doing conditioning work with our coaches, and I also feel fresh mentally which is sometimes as important as the physical side," said Williams.
Blues and Wales three-quarter Tom Shanklin is still out with a leg injury he sustained over Christmas, but regional coach Rob Howley says that it will not affect the player's Six Nations hopes.
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