Mack Hansen ruled out of Ireland's Six Nations campaign and Connacht's Champions Cup games with dislocated shoulder
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ByEurosport
Updated 08/01/2024 at 16:02 GMT
Mack Hansen will not be a part of Ireland's Six Nations title defence as he has undergone surgery to fix a dislocated shoulder. The winger is expected to be out for three to four months. Hansen will also miss Connacht's final two Investec Champions Cup pool games against Lyon on January 13 and Bristol Bears on January 19. Ireland take on France in their opening game in Marseille on February 2.
Mack Hansen of Connacht leaves the pitch to receive medical attention for an injury during the United Rugby Championship match between Connacht and Munster
Image credit: Getty Images
Ireland winger Mack Hansen has been ruled out of their Six Nations campaign after dislocating his shoulder.
Connacht announced that Hansen will be out for three to four months after undergoing surgery on Monday and will miss their final two Investec Champions Cup pool games against Lyon on January 13 and Bristol Bears on January 19.
Hansen, who has 21 caps for Ireland, picked up the injury during his side's 22-9 win over Munster in the United Rugby Championship on New Year's Day.
The 25-year-old started three of Ireland's group games at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and was part of the team that lost to New Zealand at the quarter-final stage. He has scored nine tries in 21 Tests since making his Ireland debut in February 2022.
Next week Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is expected to name an extended squad for a training camp in Portugal to prepare for the tournament.
As well as Hansen, Ireland will be without prop Dave Kilcoyne as they look to defend their Six Nations title. The 35-year-old also suffered a shoulder injury, with his club Munster saying he will be out for up to six months after completing surgery.
Along Ireland's back three, James Lowe has not played since Ireland's loss to New Zealand due to a foot injury, while utility back Jimmy O'Brien is out for a number of months with a neck injury.
Ireland face France in their opening game in Marseille on February 2 with their final game against Scotland in Dublin six weeks later.
Speaking about Hansen, Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins told RTE Sport: "It's disappointing for us to lose Mack for such a period of time.
"Obviously there will be a knock-on effect to the Irish campaign in the Six Nations as well and most of all disappointing for Mack.
"He was starting to find some form and rhythm, having been stop-start since the World Cup, so everyone loses out in that sense and I think the fans will miss watching him play as well.
"So it is up to us to fill that gap and obviously other players get a chance to step up."
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