who is Mack Hansen, the nugget to watch during France-Ireland?

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For a week, the British and Irish media have been talking only about him. It must be said that Mack Hansen, winger and newcomer to the XV of Clover, continues a trajectory as dazzling as his kidney stroke leaves the defenders on the spot. Saturday February 5, the one who, at 23, celebrated his first cap as a holder with Ireland against Wales on the first day from Six Nations Tournament, fully participated in the solid success of his team (29-7). Sacred man of the match, he will be one of the players that the Blues will have to watch very closely, Saturday February 12 (5:45 p.m. on France 2 and France.tv).

The story of Mack Hansen is that of a man in a hurry. “Hanging out is really not his thing”supported theIrish Examiner in its Monday edition, even getting a first cape at 23 isn’t that early. However, it is by looking at the career of this rugby player who was still an apprentice electrician recently that this statement takes on its full meaning.

Because everything accelerated for Mack Hansen in just over eight months, when fate decided for professional rugby. The native of Canberra, Australia, left the Brumbies franchise for the province of Connacht, where he made his United Rugby Championship debut, in September 2021. Slamming six tries in nine games, the winger installed as a starter and caught the eye of Ireland manager Andy Farrell in the process.

Selectable thanks to the dual nationality he holds from his Irish mother and since arriving on the island, Mack Hansen arrives in November 2021 in the national team for the tour internship. Called up for the Six Nations a few months later, he took advantage of the absence of the indestructible winger Jacob Stockdale to mark the spirits in training and win his first cape on Saturday against the Welsh defending champions.

And since he takes pleasure in honoring his reputation, he only needs a minute to stand out. A blocked kick from Jonathan Sexton miraculously ends up in his hands, he goes up a good part of the field and ends up offering after several playing times the first try ball of the game to his club teammate, Bundee Aki, from the start. 3rd minute.

“Mack Hansen made his debut and took his chance at entry (…) His title of best player of the match could have been given to many of his teammates but it comes to reward a performance which is similar to the result of ‘a fairy tale”, told The Guardian after the meeting.

Not satisfied, Hansen is still maneuvering on the bonus test. Leaving his wing, he improves the ball just stolen by Andrew Porter by piercing the defense. With 105 meters covered, he is by far the player of the meeting having made the most difference ball in hand. The Irish prodigy also distinguished himself in defense on his only tackle where he annihilated one of the rare Welsh try opportunities.

This performance illustrates the quality of a player acclaimed for his ability to mystify defenders and for his express integration into an ambitious group. “I was very impressed. He’s a good guy, that’s the most important thing, he integrated perfectly into the group and his performance speaks for itself”greeted Leinster player Jonathan Sexton in the columns of theIrish Examiner.

He’s the kind of player capable of breaking an incredible number of tackles, who doesn’t take too much light in training where you rarely go all out, but whose quality explodes in matches. He managed to transpose what we saw of him at Connacht at international level, it’s a very good start for him and we hope he will continue to grow.

Andy Farrell, England manager

at the Irish Examiner

Against the Welsh, Connacht’s number 11 managed to be himself, as his coach had encouraged him to do. That is to say by demonstrating his ability to get out of his lane in order to come and create excess numbers in the line of attack to disorganize the defense. And the pressure slipped on him. If he also plays free against the XV of France, he will be a real poison.


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