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.

“He’s a smart rugby player, he makes things happen,” Farrell said of the 23-year-old.

“He knows how to get himself involved in the game. He’s got great feel, a good skillset across the board.

“It’s tough when you first come into international camps but the ones who do it best hit the ground running and end up getting to a good few caps.

“They’re the guys that are able to be told once, maybe twice, and pick things up straight away and Mack certainly did that.”

Hansen – the United Rugby Championship’s leading try-scorer – has crossed six times in nine appearances for his province since moving from Canberra-based club Brumbies last year.

He comes into a relatively-settled Ireland team, with Tadhg Beirne replacing Iain Henderson in the second row the only other change to the team which started November’s stunning win over New Zealand.

Ulster captain Henderson has resumed full training following an ankle injury suffered in December and is expected to be involved for the round-two trip to France.

Centre Robbie Henshaw is a surprise omission from Farrell’s 23-man squad having overcome a slight groin issue, while Keith Earls also misses out and is set for a scan on a hamstring strain suffered on