Ireland’s Mack Hansen Clears Fit for World Cup Quarter-Final Clash Against New Zealand

Last updated on October 11, 2023, in the Irish Rugby section

Mack Hansen, the talented wing of the Ireland rugby team, has successfully recovered from a calf injury in time for the upcoming World Cup quarter-final showdown against New Zealand. This news comes as a major relief for Ireland, who are gearing up to face the All Blacks. However, the team will be without the services of James Ryan, who has been ruled out due to an injury.

Ireland’s head coach, Andy Farrell, has decided to maintain the same starting lineup that secured a victory in their last match against Scotland in Pool B. Nevertheless, there have been a couple of changes to the bench, with Joe McCarthy and Jimmy O’Brien joining the squad.

Hansen’s calf issue initially led to concerns, and he missed some training sessions earlier this week. However, the Ireland medical team is now confident that he is fit and ready for the upcoming challenge. Coach Farrell expressed his confidence in Hansen’s readiness, stating that the winger had faced some challenges earlier in the week but is on the path to recovery.

Versatile player Jimmy O’Brien, representing Leinster, has been included on the bench. O’Brien is known for his ability to play in various positions, making him a valuable addition to the squad. He has been chosen over Ulster’s Stuart McCloskey, who played as a replacement in the last match against Scotland.

Unfortunately, James Ryan, who failed to recover from a wrist injury, will not be available for the quarter-final. As a result, Iain Henderson will continue to partner with Tadhg Beirne in the second row, and McCloskey is one of the players to be left out of the matchday 23.

Winger James Lowe is set to start in this crucial match after recovering from an eye injury sustained during the Scotland game. With Ryan’s absence, Ulster captain Iain Henderson will be starting a World Cup quarter-final for the third time.

The front row will feature Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, and Tadhg Furlong. The back row remains unchanged, with Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, and Caelan Doris. Hugo Keenan will maintain his position at full-back, while the center pairing of Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki remains unchanged. Captain Johnny Sexton will once again be joined by Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-back positions.

Coach Farrell is hopeful that James Ryan, as well as other injured squad members Robbie Henshaw and Keith Earls, who are recovering from hamstring injuries, will be available for the World Cup semi-final, should Ireland progress to that stage. Farrell shared that both Earls and Henshaw are progressing well, and James Ryan’s wrist injury has been successfully addressed.

Intriguingly, utility back Jimmy O’Brien was not considered for Ireland’s opening games against Romania and Tonga due to a shoulder injury he sustained during the warm-up match against Samoa. However, O’Brien’s fitness and versatility make him an excellent choice in light of the disruptions faced by the team earlier in the week.

Ireland, who are currently on a remarkable winning streak of 17 Tests, are striving to reach the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history. They have been knocked out at the quarter-final stage on seven previous occasions, including a defeat to the All Blacks in 2019. On the other side, New Zealand is looking to avenge their Test series loss to Ireland on home soil last summer.

The head coach of the New Zealand team, Ian Foster, will announce their squad on Thursday evening. The stage is set for an epic clash between two rugby powerhouses in what promises to be a thrilling World Cup quarter-final.

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