Rugby

Injured Mack Hansen to miss Saracens clash but expected to return before Christmas

Ireland backthree player departed early during Connacht’s Champions Cup defeat to Bordeaux last weekend

Connacht’s Mack Hansen will miss this weekend's European action through injury. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho

Linley MacKenzie
Wed Dec 13 2023 - 06:00

Mack Hansen is unlikely to feature in Connacht’s Champions Cup fixture against Saracens on Saturday.

The Ireland and Connacht winger is one of three players who is not expected to be fit, having been forced off the field last weekend after just 23 minutes with what looked like a recurrence of an ankle injury he first suffered playing for Ireland.

Hansen joins the recently injured Tiernan O’Halloran (leg) and Oisín Dowling (shoulder), in addition to long-term absentees Santiago Cordero, Oisín McCormack and Colm Reilly.

However, the good news for Hansen, according to head coach Pete Wilkins, is that the prognosis is “much more positive” than first thought, with no surgery necessary.

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“At this stage he has already started his rehab running, which is great. We could push him for the Saracens’ game, but I think with it being a recurrence of the foot injury he had at the end of the World Cup, we are not taking any chances for his sake and our sake.

“So I’d expect him to be unavailable this week, but the great news is he has started his rehab running, with no surgery, and no scans.

[ Connacht ‘were a step behind Bordeaux’ throughout chastening defeat, says Pete Wilkins ]

“It looked a similar injury in similar spot, but not as bad. So the way he ran on Monday, and he did more rehab running today, which is great, I’d hope he would be on track for Ulster. It demonstrates it was not as severe as coming out of the World Cup, but we still need to manage him carefully.”

Connacht, with a poor record in England, now face another tough challenge against the English Premiership side, and Wilkins acknowledges Saracens’ history, as well as their scoring efficiency in the 22 – the second best in the Premiership.

“Saracens’ European pedigree is something to behold. They are a terrific team and have done massive things, not just in the trophies they have won, but their sustained success. They are littered with internationals, have a clear playing identity, which has been successful for a long time, and now they are evolving its attack more as well, so what a great challenge.”

Although this challenge comes on the back of Connacht’s “worst performances” of the season on the scoreboard, Wilkins is looking for a response and a greater physicality.

“Saracens have openly said they need to be more physical, then first and foremost we need to bring that level of physicality. Crucial for us is our intensity around our movement and around our collision work to make sure we are in the fight. And if we are, then we can start looking at the rugby battles within that, which will be exciting.”

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