Mack Hansen

Mack Hansen has the rare distinction of being both one of Ireland’s most effective wings and the most quotable man in the squad.

Born in Canberra, qualified through his mother, he arrived at Connacht in 2021 as a low-profile signing and was in the Ireland team within months. The rise was fast because the skill set was obvious: he is a genuine two-footed kicking option from the wing, which lets Ireland exit and counter from positions most teams cannot.

He is not a pure speed merchant, and he does not need to be. The value is in the reading — he arrives in the right channel, times the chase, and competes for the ball in the air with the confidence of a full-back.

Injuries have interrupted more than Ireland would like, and the defensive edge is where opposition attacks look first.

His public personality has made him a favourite well beyond Connacht, but the selection case is entirely rugby: he does things on the wing that the alternatives cannot.