Canberra-born Mack Hansen has been selected to win his first cap for Ireland in the Six Nations Championship – just months after arriving in the country.
And the speedy ex-Brumbie winger, who’ll make his debut against Wales on Saturday, is being tipped by Ireland coach Andy Farrell to “make things happen” in Europe’s flagship tournament after scoring tries for fun with his new team Connacht.
Hansen, a 23-year-old who represented Australia at Under 20 level, has been snapped up by the Irish, who’ve been quick to woo him after discovering his eligibility through his Cork-born mother.
Farrell has been hugely impressed with the man from Canberra who signed a two-year deal with Irish provincial side Connacht ahead of the 2021-22 season and has been in scintillating form on the wing for them since his debut in September.
Hansen has already run in six tries in just nine outings and is the leading scorer in the United Rugby Championship, a quality tournament that features pro teams from Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales.
“He’s a smart rugby player, he makes things happen,” Farrell said after announcing Hansen will make his debut in front of a sell-out Dublin crowd.
“He knows how to get himself involved in the game. He’s got great feel, a good skill-set across the board.
“It’s tough when you first come into international camps but the ones who do it best hit the ground running and end up getting to a good few caps.
“They’re the guys that are able to be told once, maybe twice, and pick things up straight away and Mack certainly did that.”
Hansen, who’s been used as a key weapon in a roaming role for Galway-based Connacht, gets his chance after an injury to James Lowe and takes his place in a buoyant team which shows only two changes from the side that outplayed the All Blacks 29-20 in November.
Farrell has otherwise named an experienced side for the contest, with Tadhg Beirne, who came off the bench against the All Blacks and has been in excellent recent form for Munster, winning the lock selection as Iain Henderson returns from injury.
British & Irish Lions centre Robbie Henshaw is also not included in the squad, with Garry Ringrose and New Zealand-born Bundee Aki starting in midfield against the injury-hit defending champs Wales, who will give star wing Josh Adams his first start at centre.
AAP
