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Rugby

Mack Hansen to start as Farrell names Ireland team for Wales clash

Hansen's provincial teammate Bundee Aki is also set to start.



Mack Hansen to start as Farrel...
Rugby

Mack Hansen to start as Farrell names Ireland team for Wales clash

Connacht's Mack Hansen is set to make his Ireland debut against Wales in the Six Nations on Saturday.

The winger has been named to start by Andy Farrell for the game at the Aviva Stadium.

Australian-born Hansen qualifies to represent Ireland through his mother, who hails from Cork.

He has excelled for Connacht since arriving last year and has represented his native country at under-20 level.

Hansen starts in place of James Lowe, who impressed in the autumn. The Leinster man misses out through injury.

Bundee Aki is selected in midfield, where he'll partner Garry Ringrose.

There's no place for Robbie Henshaw in the matchday 23, with Ulster's James Hume among the replacements.

Hume and Leinster's Dan Sheehan will make their debuts if introduced.

Johnny Sexton captains the side from out-half and is partnered by Jamison Gibson Park.

Iain Henderson - who has been nursing an ankle injury - does not make the matchday 23.

Meanwhile, Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has handed Josh Adams a first international start at centre.

Dan Biggar will captain the side for the first time from out-half.

Ireland team vs Wales (Saturday, Aviva Stadium, KO 2.15pm)

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 16 caps
14. Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen) 27 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 37 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 33 caps
11. Mack Hansen (Connacht) uncapped
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 101 caps CAPTAIN
9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 12 caps
1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 40 caps
2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 16 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 52 caps
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 25 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 40 caps
6. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 12 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 35 caps
8. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 22 caps

Replacements
16. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 2 caps
17. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 112 caps
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 18 caps
19. Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 6 caps
20. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 79 caps
21. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 92 caps
22. Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 27 caps
23. James Hume (Ulster/Banbridge) 1 cap

 

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Andy Farrell Bundee Aki Connacht Ireland Mack Hansen