Ireland suffer Six Nations blow as top-class back ruled out

Ireland will be without wing Mack Hansen for the upcoming Six Nations Championship after he suffered an injury.

The wing, who has established himself as the country’s first choice number 14 following a series of top-class displays, has sustained a dislocated shoulder.

Hansen will undergo surgery to repair the problem and, as a result, will be out of action for up to four months.

Connacht statement

His provincial team, Connacht, released a statement which confirmed that the Ireland international will be on the sidelines for a significant length of time.

“Mack Hansen (shoulder) will undergo surgery today for a dislocated shoulder and is expected to be unavailable for 3-4 months,” it read.

Hansen will therefore miss the Six Nations in what is a blow for head coach Andy Farrell ahead of the tournament.

Connacht coach Pete Wilkins added: “It’s disappointing 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.

“He was starting to find some form and rhythm, having been a little bit stop-start since the World Cup.

“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 not lost his sense of humour, thankfully. He was in with us at the end of last week, so very much around the place, albeit in a sling.

“He’s gone off for surgery today. 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.”

Jimmy O’Brien and Andy Farrell’s options

Jimmy O’Brien might ordinarily be Hansen’s replacement, but Leinster have now confirmed that the utility back has been ruled out “for a number of months” due to a neck issue and will also be absent for the Six Nations.

Farrell may therefore have two different wings for the start of the tournament with James Lowe yet to play this season due to injury.

The 31-year-old is reportedly close to returning but his lack of game time could count against him.

Jacob Stockdale has enjoyed a resurgence in form for Ulster this season and could take his place on the left, while Shane Daly is another option.

Daly’s fellow Munster back three player, Calvin Nash, was in the mix for the Rugby World Cup before missing out to the now-retired Keith Earls.

READ MORE: ‘Dark horse’ – Ex-Ireland forward backing ‘bolter’ for Six Nations captaincy