Ireland is set to defend their Six Nations crown without two of their biggest weapons, with Mack Hansen and Jimmy O’Brien both set for a stint on the sidelines.
The news will come as a huge setback for coach Andy Farrell as he prepares for his opening match of the Six Nations against France.
Connacht announced that Hansen will be undergoing surgery for a dislocated shoulder sustained in his side’s win over Munster in the URC on New Year’s Day, which will see the talented winger miss at least three to four months.
“It’s disappointing for us to lose Mack for such a period of time,” Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins told RTE Sport.
“Obviously there’ll be a knock-on effect to the Irish campaign in the Six Nations and most of all disappointment for Mack.
“He was starting to find some form and rhythm having been a little bit stop-start since the World Cup.
“Everyone loses out in that sense and the fans will miss watching him play as well so it’s up to us to fill that gap and other players get a chance to step up.
“He’s not lost his sense of humour, thankfully, he was in with us at the end of last week so very much around the place albeit in a sling.
“He’s gone off for surgery today. We’ve had lots of contact with him. It’s about trying to keep his spirits up. The key thing is to get this surgery and these initial couple of days out of the way and you can start on that rehab campaign.
“He’s had a shoulder injury before, a similar injury when he was at Brumbies in Australia so although that’s unfortunate to have it twice, at the same time he’s familiar with the surgical process, familiar with rehab and that length of time.”
While Hansen was a considerable loss for Andy Farrell’s campaign, the casualty ward has expanded since after Leinster revealed O’Brien has picked up a neck injury and will be unavailable “for a number of months”.
The pair join prop Dave Kilcoyne in missing the Six Nations, who is set to have six months with a shoulder injury. Farrell will have to re-assess many options for his starting squad, with Ireland set to open their campaign against France in Marseille on February 2nd.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Not sold on Lamour but think he was given the caps to early and didn't keep growing. Much more mature now so may be time for a comeback. Zebo I think would be a bad pick.
HenryHoneyBalls
Roar Rookie
He was asked a question and gave his own opinion, jeez what a meanie he is.
HenryHoneyBalls
Roar Rookie
Maybe even Larmor or Zebo might get another crack at the whip. Larmour is still only 25 or something.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Well, "Absent" Albo is nearly spending as much time overseas as Mack ! :happy:
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Should he go into interviews with a list of questions and tell them to only ask those like some players and other people in the public eye. People like podcasts that ask all sorts of questions and get all the different responses. There is a reason why the old media is struggling to have good content even though it has loads of access to players because we know that every player and coach will give the same neutral answer that means nothing.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
That's the challenge of the long off season, easy to get lost in other sports.
El Flash
Roar Rookie
Shame about Hansen. Still, this gives him time now to sit back & gob off about any subject that takes his fancy irrespective of whether he knows anything about the subject or not. He certainly doesn't mind telling RA who should be coaching the Wallabies so long as he's not a Kiwi, but now with time on his side maybe Albanese will come in for some criticism.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
That's rugby unfortunately. Jeez, I can't wait for Super Rugby to kick off so we get some interesting articles happening, ones worthy of comment and of course, a variety of opinion !
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Like Hansen when he got a test start because of injury, its up to the challenger to show what they can do. I think they'll be fine and good to see who the depth is like.
HenryHoneyBalls
Roar Rookie
Hansen and O'Brien are two top players but it gives a good chance for Ulster's Rob Baloucoune or Jacob Stockdale to force their way back in, two players with high ceilings, or maybe even the high flying Calvin Nash at Munster. All will be well.