Rough Mack Hansen news a major Six Nations blow to Ireland

Patrick McCarry

A key player will miss the entire championship.

Mack Hansen will miss the entire Six Nations after Connacht rugby confirmed the winger dislocated his shoulder in their recent United Rugby Championship win over Munster. There is bad news about Jimmy O’Brien, too.

The 25-year-old required oxygen before he left the pitch during that January 1 game at The Sportsground. Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins confirmed the news, and told RTÉ:

“It’s disappointing for us to lose Mack for such a period of time. Obviously there’ll be a knock-on effect to the Irish campaign in the Six Nations and most of all disappointment for Mack… Everyone loses out in that sense and the fans will miss watching him play as well so it’s up to us to fill that gap and other players get a chance to step up.”

“He’s gone off for surgery today,” Wilkins added. “We’ve had lots of contact with him. It’s about trying to keep his spirits up. The key thing is to get this surgery and these initial couple of days out of the way and you can start on that rehab campaign.

“He’s had a shoulder injury before, a similar injury when he was at Brumbies in Australia so although that’s unfortunate to have it twice, at the same time he’s familiar with the surgical process, familiar with rehab and that length of time.”

Mack Hansen of Ireland poses for a photograph with the Guinness Man of the Match award after a Six Nations Rugby win over Italy, in 2023. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Mack Hansen not the only injured frontliner

James Lowe, who has started many of his Ireland games on the other wing from Hansen, has yet to play for Leinster this season. Peter O’Mahony, who looks to be the captaincy frontrunner, has only played once for Munster [in mid November] since the World Cup.

On Monday afternoon, Leinster confirmed James Ryan requires further assessment after missing the recent Ulster game. On Jimmy O’Brien, the province stated:

‘Jimmy O’Brien has picked up a neck injury and will be unavailable for a number of months. Martin Moloney has picked up a bicep injury and will be unavailable for a number of months.’

Looking at the wing candidates, Calvin Nash could slot in at No.14 while Jordan Larmour is another option. Diarmuid Kilgallen (Connacht) would be pressing for Six Nations inclusion, as would Jamie Osborne (Leinster).

Farrell could also look at moving Hugo Keenan to the right wing and trying out Ciarán Frawley or Jacob Stockdale at fullback.

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