15-07-2025
Mack Hansen a major doubt for first Lions Test as Ireland winger sits out training
Although forwards coach John Dalziel told the media that Hansen is fit to train this week on Monday, the Connacht star was not togged out for today's session at the Churchies School in Brisbane.
Pressed on his absence, attack coach Richard Wigglesworth said that Hansen had picked up a foot injury in Saturday's win over the AUNZ invitational side and had not recovered in time for today's session.
The former England scrum-half said that Hansen is in the same boat as Blair Kinghorn, the Scotland full-back who also stayed out of the session. Garry Ringrose and Luke Cowan-Dickie have been ruled out with concussion.
'He hurt his foot in the game," Wigglesworth said of Hansen.
"I don't think it is anything serious but he was managed today.
"Hopefully he will be fully integrated pretty quickly. It is nothing that we are over concerned about but we need to make sure we have enough numbers at training but it doesn't look too serious.'
Pressed on whether Hansen would be fit for the first Test, Wigglesworth said: 'A bit like Blair, we will find out tomorrow, he didn't train fully today so we will know a bit more tomorrow.
"Every case is different.
"There are injuries you can play with and get on with. As a rugby player at the highest level, you're constantly doing that at this stage of the season. You'd be surprised if you ask any of them if they're all, on both teams, feeling 100pc.
"And then there's other injuries that you can't and that would be a risk and we certainly wouldn't be taking risks with players.'
Born in Canberra to an Irish mother and Australian father, Hansen has been a star on this tour and was right in the selection mix for the first game along with England's Tommy Freeman who now looks likely to get the No 14 shirt, with Hugo Keenan at full-back and James Lowe on the left wing.
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Hansen's issue explains why Darcy Graham has been flown in to train with the squad ahead of his Scotland teammates Ewan Ashman and Rory Sutherland who join up with the squad on Sunday.
Jamie Osborne trained with the team today, while Thomas Clarkson and Jamie George are due in today.
"We need to make sure we're covered numbers-wise and for the games coming up,' Wigglesworth said of Graham's arrival.
"That was probably expedited a bit quicker because of Blair and Mack not being on feet today and potentially tomorrow.'
Andy Farrell names his team on Thursday.
