Six Nations: Mack Hansen ruled out against Scotland, Calvin Nash named as replacement

Ireland make a late switch for the Six Nations clash with Scotland as Calvin Nash replaces injured Mack Hansen

HAMSTRUNG: A hamstring issue will keep Mack Hansen out of action this weekend. Pic: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Ireland have been forced to make a late change for Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Scotland, with Calvin Nash replacing the injured Mack Hansen on the right wing.

Hansen failed to take part in Ireland’s captain’s run training session at Murrayfield on Saturday afternoon as a precautionary measure due to a hamstring strain. 

The Connacht wing had suffered a cut to his knee in the opening-round victory over England last Saturday but returned from off-field treatment to complete the 27-22 win at Aviva Stadium. The cut was cited as a concern for Hansen’s availability but he was named in Simon Easterby’s starting XV on Friday and travelled to Edinburgh with the rest of the squad.

Interim head coach Easterby had initially made two changes from the side he selected to face the English, promoting Robbie Henshaw from the bench to outside centre with Garry Ringrose moving in the other direction and bringing Peter O’Mahony in at blindside flanker.

Nash will be making his first Test appearance since last summer’s series against the Springboks in South Africa. The Munster wing had been an ever-present in last season’s Six Nations title success when Hansen was sidelined by a dislocated shoulder and he played in both Tests in the drawn series with the world champions. Yet Hansen’s return meant squad-mate Nash did not play a minute during the four-Test Autumn Nations Series.

Recent good form for Munster is now set to be rewarded with a ninth Ireland appearance, with Hansen’s absence confirmed by the IRFU ahead of Saturday afternoon’s captain’s run press conference.