Andy Farrell expects Ireland debutant Mack Hansen to hit the ground running

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has backed in-form Mack Hansen to swiftly adapt to the demands of Test rugby after handing him a debut in the Guinness Six Nations opener against Wales.

Australia-born Hansen has been rewarded for a string of standout displays for Connacht with a place on the left wing for Saturday’s sold-out Dublin clash with Wayne Pivac’s reigning champions.

Hansen, who has an Irish mother, trained with Farrell’s squad during the autumn and has been fast-tracked into the starting XV following an injury to James Lowe.

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