Mack Hansen a serious doubt for Ireland clash with All Blacks

Sean Naughton narrowly missed a late conversion and the chance to snatch Connacht victory as the Irish side lost 28-27 to the Bulls in a thriller in Galway.

Naughton pulled his effort just wide after wing Mack Hansen’s superb score had hauled Connacht to within a point of the visitors, who held on to clinch their third United Rugby Championship win of the season.

Josh Ioane went over for the game’s opening try following early pressure from the Connacht pack close to the Bulls’ line and the New Zealand fly-half converted to put the home side 7-0 up inside 10 minutes.

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But the Bulls hit straight back with two clinical tries in seven minutes through scrum-half Paul de Wet and full-back Willie Le Roux’s brilliant effort, the second score converted by Keagan Johannes to give the visitors a 12-7 half-time lead and coming after Connacht flanker Josh Murphy had received a 20-minute red card for punching Cobus Wiese in the head.

Johannes’ drop goal early in the second period extended the Bulls’ lead to 15-7 before Connacht reduced the deficit to a single point at 15-14 when Ioane converted after scrum-half Caolin Blade had rolled two tackles to touch down.

De Wet’s blindside break earned him his second try of the match and Johannes’ penalty put the Bulls 25-14 ahead before Connacht stormed back when Naughton won the race to his own kick ahead to touch down.

Ioane missed the conversion and after Johannes and Naughton exchanged penalties, Hansen’s superb score hauled the hosts to within a point at 28-27 only for Naughton to miss the chance to snatch victory.

For Andy Farrell’s Ireland, it will be the injury to Hansen – sustained in the act of scoring – that will draw the most concern.

The British & Irish Lions’ tourist was carted off immediately after the 78th-minute effort and now looks like a serious doubt for Ireland’s game against the All Blacks on November 1st at Soldier Field in Chicago.

additional reporting RugbyPass