Mack Hansen: Ireland wing satisfying travel bug as Six Nations journey continues

Adam Kyriacou

Ireland wing Mack Hansen has revealed his love for travel and how international rugby has allowed him to see the world as he prepares to face Scotland.

It’s been a whirlwind couple of years for the Australian-born finisher as his move from the Brumbies to Connacht led to him being called up by Ireland.

At the start of this year, the 23-year-old – whose mother hails from Cork – had little expectation of making Andy Farrell’s squad for the Six Nations.

But, buoyed by fine displays for Connacht and growing self belief, he’s now satisfying his wanderlust while simultaneously making a mark at Test level.

Free spirit

“I’ll be honest with you mate, it wasn’t until maybe last year that it was a huge thing in my mind to play international rugby,” said a recalled Hansen.

“I always wanted to travel around the world and play in as many countries and teams as I could and just get the most out of footie.

“There was just a bit of a free spirit behind it, I just wanted to see as much as I could.

“But I’ve realised that international footie pretty much does that for you for free. It does take you around many, many places in the world and you just get to do it with a huge group of blokes and it doesn’t get much more fun than that.

“I have loved every second of it. All the lads here are great fellas.”

Hansen last year left Canberra-based outfit the Brumbies to move to Galway before training with the Ireland squad during the autumn.

He is already making rapid progress with his travel bucket list, having ticked off Paris and London in recent weeks.

The former Australia U20 international claimed his maiden Test try in the 30-24 round-two defeat in France and, following a cameo role at home to Italy a fortnight later, had to make do with watching last weekend’s 32-15 win over England from the Twickenham stands after being left out of Farrell’s matchday 23.

Asked what prompted him to take the sport more seriously, he replied: “I just started to back myself a lot more; I was getting to a point where I don’t know if I had that extra bit of confidence I have now.

“Ever since I left school, club rugby I was fine but I just felt I wasn’t really kicking on that extra step at Brumbies. Once I got a bit more time at Brumbies, I realised maybe I am good enough to get there.

“The next step for me was coming over here and I just thought I’m going to give it everything I’ve got and play my style of footie. And if works out, it does, and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. It was definitely just a little bit of self belief.

“There is always going to be people who think you’re not good enough or aren’t going to be backing you the full way.

“None of that really matters as long as you back yourself and give it your all – that’s all you can do at the end of the day.”

Following a round-four break to reflect on his rapid elevation, Hansen will line up on the right flank against the Scots in place of the injured Andrew Conway.

Victory over Gregor Townsend’s men will guarantee the Triple Crown, while Ireland’s hopes of pinching the ultimate prize rely on England upsetting Grand Slam-chasing France in the evening kick-off.

“It’s great (to be back), I’m absolutely stoked,” said Hansen.

“Any opportunity to play international rugby is a privilege so to be back in and with a Triple Crown on the line is an awesome feeling.

“It would be great for Irish rugby as well, especially leading into a World Cup year.

“If we get the win then we’ve done our job and we’ve done as much as we can. We’ll see how it all pans out.”

READ MORE: Six Nations preview: Ireland to put pressure on France with victory against Scotland in Dublin