Mac Hansen.
photograph: photo sports
Ireland have suffered a double injury blow with backs Mack Hansen and Jimmy O’Brien ruled out of their Six Nations title defense with long-term injuries.
Ireland’s backline is already facing a challenge without retired first-five and captain Johnny Sexton, who they have relied on for the past 14 Six Nations competitions.
Hansen, who started every match in last year’s Grand Slam winning campaign and Ireland’s major World Cup matches, dislocated his shoulder at last week’s URC Championship and will be out for three to four months, according to his club Connacht. Announced.
O’Brien, who came off the bench to replace Hansen after the Australian-born winger limped off in the World Cup quarter-final defeat to New Zealand, will be sidelined for several months with a neck injury, his club Leinster announced.
The Leinster boss added that lock James Ryan was withdrawn as a precautionary measure before URC’s defeat to Ulster last week and will be further assessed this week before a final decision will be made on whether he will play in this weekend’s European Cup. .
Ireland reserve prop Dave Kilcoyne was also ruled out of the competition after undergoing shoulder surgery last week.
Hansen became manager Andy Farrell’s first choice on the right wing after his debut two years ago and has rarely failed since then, scoring nine tries in 21 games.
O’Brien, 27, has only won eight caps for Ireland so far, but his versatility across the back three makes him a key part of Farrell’s plans.
Keith Earls’ retirement leaves Hugo Keenan and James Rowe as the only recognized full-backs and wingers to be selected from the 33-man World Cup squad. Lowe has yet to make an appearance for Leinster this season.
This will open up opportunities for Ulster’s Jacob Stockdale, Leinster’s utility back Jordan Larmour and the inexperienced Munster’s Calvin Nash and Ulster’s Rob Balcoon.
Ireland’s first Six Nations game will be against France in Marseille on February 2nd.
–Reuters