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Ireland explain Hansen inclusion, react to Scotland axing Russell
By Liam Heagney
Ireland coach Andy Farrell has explained why Mack Hansen is back in the starting line-up to face a Scotland team this Saturday that won’t feature Finn Russell from the start. Test novice Hansen, who served his rugby apprenticeship in Australian Super Rugby before joining Connacht, started the opening three games of the Guinness Six Nations only to lose out last weekend against England.
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Farrell went with Andrew Conway and James Lowe for the 32-15 win at Twickenham. However, with Conway since minding what the IRFU reported as a “knee niggle”, Hansen has been picked on the right wing.
A win on Saturday would clinch Ireland the Triple Crown and put them top of the table prior to the final game of the tournament featuring the Grand Slam-chasing France and the wounded England.
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Speaking about his recall to the starting Ireland team of Hansen with Conway missing out on the matchday 23, Farrell said: “They are thoroughbreds in the back three, they are the ones that tend to break from time to time and it’s always good to have some strength in depth there. Mack has done unbelievable well…
“He has had a starting berth in a few matches. Straight from the off he has been very impressive. How a guy comes in that hasn’t got much international experience at all to be able to learn, hit the ground running, get up with the systems, how we want to play and be himself is tricky – but he has managed it seamlessly.
“He has played the first three games and had a week to sit out and take a breath and the pressure has been off. I’m sure he has reflected and you can see that reflection week has been good for him because he has been great at training this week.”
Farrell unveiled a starting Ireland XV showing three changes – Hansen for Conway, Iain Henderson for James Ryan and Jack Conan for Peter O’Mahony – earlier on Thursday at 1.30pm. That announcement came 75 minutes after Scotland had dropped the bombshell that first-choice out-half Russell was dropped in place of Blair Kinghorn, a player more familiar with wing and full-back at Test level as his only previous No10 start was against Tonga last October.
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Will that selection change the Ireland approach and what did Farrell make of the switch? “No, it doesn’t (affect the plan). Surprised? Yes and no. Everyone was expecting Finn to play, he is a great player. Blair, I mean I watched the Connacht game, he was the best player on the pitch by a country mile.
“We know him well, we know his strengths, very dangerous ball in hand, takes the line on., very dangerous counterattack wise, good passing game, a good kicking game as well and it’s a big game for him coming over to the Aviva but Gregor I suppose has had a look at him and picked on form because his last game for Edinburgh was outstanding.”
Farrell also touched on the scrum, an area of the game where Ireland gave away six penalties and a free-kick and won just a single penalty against England. “Yes, good learnings all round for us and for the officials,” he said about their set-piece review. “We are happy with the feedback that we got so the focus has been just about us, making sure we get our own house in order.”
