Mack Hansen is major Lions doubt ahead of first Test due to foot injury

Mack Hansen has emerged as a major doubt for the British and Irish Lions’ first Test against Australia with Blair Kinghorn also struggling to be ready in time for the Brisbane showdown.

Hansen sustained a foot injury in Saturday’s 48-0 thumping of an AUNZ Invitational XV and was unable to take part in the squad’s first full bore training session of the week on Tuesday.

The Ireland wing is in contention to face Australia at Suncorp Stadium, most likely as a bench option covering the back three, but opportunities to prove his fitness are now very limited.

Kinghorn, viewed as first-choice full-back, also appears to be losing his battle with the knee injury sustained against ACT Brumbies on July 9 after it was confirmed he will not be able to train until Wednesday at the earliest.

Neither player has been ruled out at this stage, but attack coach Richard Wigglesworth has revealed the Lions have already picked their team for the series opener – subject to any late changes – with the players due to be told on Wednesday.

“Mack hurt his foot in the game. I don’t think it’s anything serious but he was managed today (Tuesday),” Wigglesworth said.

“Hopefully he will be fully integrated pretty quickly. It’s nothing that we are overly concerned about. We’ll know a bit more tomorrow.

“We’ll have to see tomorrow what Blair looks like. He hasn’t trained fully with the squad but he’s been on his feet so we’ll know a bit more in the next 24 hours whether we can get him on the field.”

Andy Farrell will announce his team to the public on Thursday with the identity of the flankers and inside centre the key talking points in the starting XV.

Tadhg Beirne and Ollie Chessum appear to be locked in a shootout for the number six jersey with the