Mack Hansen targets Lions pick as 'pinnacle of rugby'

Mack Hansen is targetting a place in Andy Farrell's Lions squad, inspired by memories of a famous win for the Brumbies in 2013.

Ireland wing Hansen grew up in Canberra and played for the Brumbies before moving to Connacht in 2021.

The Lions take on Joe Schmidt's Wallabies this summer and last toured Australia in 2013, winning the series 2-1, with Warren Gatland leaving out Brian O’Driscoll from the final Test an enduring memory for Ireland fans.

But the tourists, with Ireland players Rob Kearney, Sean O’Brien, Rory Best, Conor Murray and Simon Zebo in the squad, lost to the Brumbies, 14-12, along the way.

Hansen missed the Guinness Six Nations win over Scotland on Sunday with a hamstring issue but the Ireland management said he, along with Tadhg Furlong (calf) and Joe McCarthy (head) were making "good progress" and were "optimistic about their availability" to face Wales in round three on 22 February.

The Australia-born back has been a revelation since moving overseas.

Already Ireland-qualified via his Cork-born mother, he made his international debut in 2022 and has gone on to score 12 tries in 26 appearances.

The 26-year-old missed the second half of last season with a shoulder injury.

Ireland remain on course to retain their title after back-to-back wins and Hansen revealed another incentive to get back to his best.

"Oh yeah, anyone that is available for it would be lying if they didn't say that's sort of the pinnacle of rugby really, to get on that tour," he told the KOKO podcast.

"I still remember the game they played us, at Brums, where the Brumbies actually beat them. That whole tour made me realise there is a whole other world to rugby.

"Obviously, you don't really see much of the Six Nations growing up.

"I still remember