Huge boost for Irish rugby as star returns to action after seven-month injury spell

Return of the Mack.

Mack Hansen dislocated his shoulder during the New Years Day clash between Connacht and Munster, and has had a long road to recovery in the intervening months.

You love to see it 😍

After 8 months out, Mack Hansen was back in action tonight 💪 🦅 pic.twitter.com/R72wT7Z9Do

— Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) September 7, 2024

The Ireland international, who has scored nine tries in 21 Test matches, received a rapturous applause from the away end last night when he came on in the second-half of Connacht's 28-21 pre-season win over Glasgow at Scotstoun.

The 26-year-old missed the Six Nations, Ireland's summer tour of South Africa and the second half of Connacht’s domestic season.

Last night's late substitution in Scotland marked Hansen's first competitive appearance on a rugby pitch in nine months, and Andy Farrell will no doubt have been delighted to see the Australian-born winger's shaved head running through the Glasgow forward line under the lights.

The Ireland head coach will begins his preparations for an exciting November schedule shortly, with the All Blacks and Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies pencilled in for autumn international meetings at Aviva Stadium.

For Connacht fans, Hansen has been a fan-favourite since he made the move from Canberra to the west coast of Ireland in 2021.

It was delight all round for the Westerners as marquee signing Josh Ioane impressed at fly-half from the offset.

The New Zealander, who signed from the Super Rugby side Chiefs last summer, is set to play a key role for the province in the upcoming season.

Mack Hansen is likely to get his first start in eight months later this month when Connacht get their URC campaign underway with an interpro derby duel against Munster at Thomond Park on Saturday, September 21.