Ireland star emerges as major doubt for Lions' first Test against Australia on Saturday

Mack Hansen has emerged as a major doubt for the Lions’ first Test against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.

The Ireland winger has yet to train this week having picked up a foot injury in last Saturday’s win over the AUNZ invitational side and attack coach Richard Wigglesworth conceded that he is up against it in terms of featuring on Saturday’s game, along with Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn, who also sat out Tuesday’s session at the Churchies School.

Missing out would be a significant blow to Australian-born Hansen, who lined out for the Wallabies at under-20 level but declared for Ireland under the parentage rule after moving to Connacht in 2021. He had been one of the stars of the tour down under so far, though England’s Tommy Freeman looks most likely to slot in a No 14 now instead.

Another Irish international, Garry Ringrose, and Luke Cowan-Dickie have already been ruled out of Saturday’s opener due to concussion protocols.

“He hurt his foot in the game,” said Wigglesworth in relation to Hansen. “I don’t think it is anything serious but he was managed today.

“Hopefully he will be fully integrated pretty quickly. It is nothing that we are over concerned about but we need to make sure we have enough numbers at training but it doesn’t look too serious.”

But Wigglesworth conceded that Hansen is a significant doubt having not trained this close to the game at the Suncorp Stadium, without fully ruling him out.

“A doubt is anyone who didn't train fully today, but he's definitely not ruled out,” he said.

“Every case is different. There are injuries you can play with and get on with. As a rugby player at the highest level, you're constantly doing that at this stage of the season.

“You'd be surprised if you ask any of them if they're all, on both teams, feeling 100 per cent. And then there's other injuries that you can't and that would be a risk and we certainly wouldn't be taking risks with players.”

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