'He gets rugby': Farrell purrs over Hansen as Keenan continues on road back

Andy Farrell saw Mack Hansen's odd coloured boots and thought, 'You better play well'

Mack Hansen played just his second game of the season against the Wallabies. Pic: ©INPHO/Nick Elliott

Hugo Keenan will begin his reintegration into the Ireland squad this week at the invitation of head coach Andy Farrell but you could forgive the injured full-back for feeling a little uncomfortable in camp following Mack Hansen’s tour de force at 15 against Australia.

Keenan was last seen on a rugby field during the summer as he etched his name in British & Irish Lions history by scoring the series-clinching try against the Wallabies in front of 90,000-plus supporters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The hip surgery which followed will keep the 29-year-old sidelined until the New Year and in his absence Jamie Osborne continued his upward curve with some assured performances at full-back against both New Zealand and Japan.