Player of match Hansen: I couldn't be prouder to be Irish

Mack Hansen enjoyed a debut to remember as he was named player of the match after Ireland's thumping 29-7 win over Wales in their Guinness Six Nations opener.

The Australian-born Connacht wing was a thorn in Wales' side from the start, constantly cutting infield to get involved in the play as Ireland overwhelmed their rivals at times.

It was a surprise to many when he was named to start in the team during the week, but the 23-year-old former Brumbie looked comfortable playing Test rugby for the land of his Cork-born mother.

Hansen tried to explain to RTÉ Sport what it meant.

"It has been a dream come true. Everyone here has adopted me as their own. I couldn't be prouder to be Irish today," he said.

"To have it all come together like that was really special. In front of a packed crowd as well, it was great to see fans back here."

Hansen also paid tribute to his team-mates.

"The guys inside me just made my job so much easier, the forwards and the backs, just running great lines and just playing very well together. That's what we've been working towards the last couple of weeks in Portugal."

Having grown up watching Ireland matches Down Under, the winger, who has six tries in nine Connacht appearances, said his family were all staying up late to watch his debut.

"I think all my family and friends are watching back home. Shout out to all of them. I got some special messages during the week, which just made the whole thing so special. I couldn't be happier, to be honest.

"It's the start we wanted. We have to get on with the next job. It's going to be a tough game in France next week. We'll enjoy tonight and then tomorrow we'll move our focus to France."

'It's been a dream come true...I couldn’t be any prouder to be Irish’ -Player of the