Latest news with #Wigglesworth
The Journal
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Journal
Ireland wing Mack Hansen a big doubt for first Lions Test due to foot injury
The 42 Reports from Brisbane IRELAND WING MACK Hansen has emerged as a big doubt for the Lions' first Test against the Wallabies on Saturday in Brisbane. The Connacht man sat out training today after suffering a foot injury during last Saturday's win over the AUNZ XV in Adelaide. It's a big blow for Hansen, whose excellent form meant he was competing with England's Tommy Freeman for a start in the Lions' number 14 shirt this weekend. While Lions assistant coach John Dalziel yesterday denied that Hansen had an injury, the early arrival of Scotland right wing Darcy Graham into Lions camp raised eyebrows. And now the tourists have confirmed Hansen's injury. 'He hurt his foot just in the [AUNZ XV] game, so I don't think it's anything serious but he was managed today, but hopefully he will be integrated pretty quickly,' said Lions assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth today in Brisbane. 'It's nothing that we're overly concerned about, but we needed to make sure we had enough numbers at training and everything. But it doesn't look too serious.' Advertisement The Lions insist that Hansen has not yet been ruled out of the first Test, even while admitting he is a doubt. 'We'll find out tomorrow,' said Wigglesworth. 'He didn't train fully today, but we'll find out a bit more tomorrow. 'If they get on the field tomorrow, then they're right in contention. We've not finalised everything yet. A doubt is anyone who didn't train fully today but he's definitely not ruled out.' Wigglesworth was asked if Hansen's injury was the reason that Graham arrived in Australia yesterday, with his Scotland team-mates Rory Sutherland and Ewan Ashman only set to join the tourists on Sunday after playing for their country against Samoa. 'Potentially, we needed to make sure we're covered numbers-wise and for the games coming up, so that was probably a bit quicker because of Blair Kinghorn and Mack not being on feet today and potentially tomorrow.' Wigglesworth said that the Lions have still not ruled Kinghorn, who is carrying a knee injury, out of first Test involvement. 'We'll have to see tomorrow what he looks like, he hasn't trained fully with the squad but he has been on his feet, so we will know a bit more in the 24 hours whether we can get him on the field.' Written by Murray Kinsella and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland star emerges as major doubt for Lions' Test with Australia on Saturday
Mack Hansen has emerged as a major doubt for the Lions' first Test against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday. The Ireland winger has yet to train this week having picked up a foot injury in last Saturday's win over the AUNZ invitational side and attack coach Richard Wigglesworth conceded that he is up against it in terms of featuring on Saturday's game, along with Scotland's Blair Kinghorn, who also sat out Tuesday's session at the Churchies School. Missing out would be a significant blow to Australian-born Hansen, who lined out for the Wallabies at under-20 level but declared for Ireland under the parentage rule after moving to Connacht in 2021. He had been one of the stars of the tour down under so far, though England's Tommy Freeman looks most likely to slot in a No 14 now instead. Another Irish international, Garry Ringrose, and Luke Cowan-Dickie have already been ruled out of Saturday's opener due to concussion protocols. 'He hurt his foot in the game,' said Wigglesworth in relation to 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.' But Wigglesworth conceded that Hansen is a significant doubt having not trained this close to the game at the Suncorp Stadium, without fully ruling him out. 'A doubt is anyone who didn't train fully today, but he's definitely not ruled out,' he said. '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 100 per cent. 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.'
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Mack Hansen a serious doubt for first Lions test after missing training
Mack Hansen looks set to miss the British & Irish Lions' first Test against Australia this Saturday after missing training with a foot injury. Hansen had enhanced his chances of selection on the right wing for the Series opener with the Wallabies after another impressive performance for the tourists last Saturday in Adelaide against an AUSNZ Invitational XV. Yet he did not emerge unscathed and assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth on Tuesday confirmed the Connacht and Ireland star, along with full-back Blair Kinghorn (knee) were serious doubts for the Suncorp Stadium clash having not trained so far this week. And with the coach saying players would not be unnecessarily risked with the second and third Tests coming in quick succession, the way appears clear for England wing Tommy Freeman to grab the Lions number 14 jersey at the weekend. 'He hurt his foot in the game, I don't think it is anything serious, but he was managed today," Wigglesworth said. "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. "A bit like Blair, we will find out tomorrow, he didn't train fully today so we will know a bit more tomorrow.' Yet when pressed, Wigglesworth, admitted Hansen had to be considered a serious doubt. "A doubt is anyone who didn't train fully today, but he's definitely not ruled out. "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 100 per cent. 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." The only players definitively ruled out of contention for first Test selection, publicly at least, are centre Garry Ringrose and hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie. Ireland's Ringrose experienced delayed concussion symptoms following last Wednesday's win over the Brumbies in Canberra while Cowan-Dickie, the English front-rower sustained a head injury in last Saturday's game against AUSNZ. Both players have been stood down for 12 days, making Ringrose available for next Tuesday's final midweek match, against a First Nation & Pasifika XV at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium, while Cowan-Dickie will hope to be cleared to become available for selection for the landmark second Test at the 100,000-capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground. 'There are different stages they have,' Wigglesworth said, 'but from what I understand, there's been no issues. He's (Ringrose) not had to go back any stage from what that looks like. 'Luke was absolutely fine straight away and this is why we have such great medical staff and good procedures, but Luke's acting like Luke. He's there and he's full of beans. They're both coming through well. 'They know they were on the 12 days so there wasn't a 'could I, can't I'? It was pretty black and white. 'What the Lions tour is proving to be and is everything that you hear about, it's a squad game. There's no point you showing any of that natural disappointment that you're going to have, because that's not what we're here to do. 'We're here to create a brilliant environment and help each other, whether you're in or out, whether you're injured or not. And they've certainly done that.'
Powys County Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
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 England back row's better form on tour potentially giving him the edge over a rival who has captained the midweek team twice. Tom Curry, Josh van der Flier and Jac Morgan could all be chosen at openside – the most competitive position in the team – with compelling arguments provided for each of them to start against the Wallabies. Another option would be to field Curry on the blindside and deploy either van der Flier or Morgan at seven, resulting in Beirne or Chessum joining Maro Itoje in the second row rather than current favourite Joe McCarthy. Garry Ringrose's 12-day stand down for concussion has made the in-form Huw Jones a certainty at outside centre, but the repercussions are felt at inside centre where Farrell must choose between Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu. Aki has provided the greatest punch in midfield so far on tour, but Tuipulotu has developed a deep understanding with Scotland team-mates Jones and Finn Russell, who is a certainty to feature at fly-half. Owen Farrell and Marcus Smith have been pushing hard for inclusion on the bench. 'We have got such quality across all positions so we would be lying if we said selection was easy,' Wigglesworth said. 'The selection meeting was conversational as it has been the whole way through the tour. Everyone is able to voice an opinion and is willing to be challenged. Then we come to a decision.'
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Mack Hansen's Lions Test debut in doubt 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 the country of his birth 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 9 July 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 England back row's better form on tour potentially giving him the edge over a rival who has captained the midweek team twice. Tom Curry, Josh van der Flier and Jac Morgan could all be chosen at openside – the most competitive position in the team – with compelling arguments provided for each of them to start against the Wallabies. Another option would be to field Curry on the blindside and deploy either van der Flier or Morgan at seven, resulting in Beirne or Chessum joining Maro Itoje in the second row rather than current favourite Joe McCarthy. Garry Ringrose's 12-day stand down for concussion has made the in-form Huw Jones a certainty at outside centre, but the repercussions are felt at inside centre where Farrell must choose between Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu. Aki has provided the greatest punch in midfield so far on tour, but Tuipulotu has developed a deep understanding with Scotland team-mates Jones and Finn Russell, who is a certainty to feature at fly-half. Owen Farrell and Marcus Smith have been pushing hard for inclusion on the bench. "We have got such quality across all positions so we would be lying if we said selection was easy," Wigglesworth said. "The selection meeting was conversational as it has been the whole way through the tour. Everyone is able to voice an opinion and is willing to be challenged. Then we come to a decision."
