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Mack Hansen to face Brumbies as Lions name heavy-hitting team
By Finn Morton reporting from Canberra
Australia-born Ireland winger Mack Hansen is set for a special homecoming this week, named on the bench for the British & Irish Lions ahead of their clash with the ACT Brumbies at Canberra’s GIO Stadium on Wednesday.
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Hansen debuted for the Brumbies a replacement in a 19-13 win over the NSW Waratahs on the 15th of March, 2019. Often used as an impact player by the Brumbies, Hansen went on to make 21 appearances for the club over three Super Rugby seasons.
Lions coach Andy Farrell has included Hansen in the matchday 23 ahead of the touring side’s fourth match in Australia. Hansen was among the standouts for the Lions in their initial win over the Western Force, with the Lions also beating the Queensland Reds and Waratahs.
Maro Itoje retains the captaincy, with the English lock set to pack down alongside Ireland’s Joe McCarthy in the second row. England’s Ellis Genge will combine with the Irish duo of Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong in the front row.
Farrell has named English forwards Tom Curry and Ollie Cheesum on the flanks, while Ireland’s Jack Conan rounds out the run-on side at No. 8. Josh van der Flier and Henry Pollock are among those looking to provide impact off the bench.
In the backs, Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell will link up in the halves for a second time, having played together against the Reds last week. Ireland’s Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose have been named in the midfield, with James Lowe on the left wing.
Tommy Freeman impressed on the wing against the Reds at Suncorp Stadium, and the Englishmen will look to replicate those heroics after being named to start once again. Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn will start at fullback for the Lions for the first time as well.
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“In 2013 the Brumbies beat The British & Irish Lions in Canberra and this year they were the leading Australian team in Super Rugby – so we are fully aware of the challenge in front of us,” Farrell said in a statement.
“It will also be a special occasion for Mack Hansen as he returns to his hometown and gets the opportunity to play for and represent the Lions against some of his old teammates.”
The Lions arrived in Canberra on Monday evening to prepare for this mid-week fixture. They will head further south to Adelaide on Thursday morning to prepare for an intriguing match against the AUNZ Invitational XV at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
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British & Irish Lions to take on ACT Brumbies
15. Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland) #882
14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England) #858
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #872
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #837
11. James Lowe (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #870
10. Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland) #835
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #879
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England) #859
2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #873
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #818
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) (C) #825
5. Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #871
6. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England) #875
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England) #853
8. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #839
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #864
17. Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #876
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England) #877
19. Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #874
20. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England) #865
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England) #860
22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) #855
23. Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #867