Mack Hansen set to miss rest of campaign

Connacht boss Stuart Lancaster pessimistic about his Irish wing's fitness

Mack Hansen at Connacht training in Dexcom Stadium. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Mack Hansen looks set to miss the remainder of the season with Stuart Lancaster saying it is unlikely the Irish wing would be back if Connacht made it to the Challenge Cup final in May.

The 27-year-old is recuperating from surgery on a troublesome foot injury in early December and while the procedure was a success it’s unlikely he will be back in action before the summer.

“It will be tight,” said Lancaster. “It will be a struggle I think,” he added when asked if Hansen would play again for Connacht this season.

It remains to be seen if Hansen could back into contention for Ireland’s inaugural Nations Championship campaign in the summer when they will travel to Australia and New Zealand for games against the Wallabies, Japan and the All Blacks in July.

Hansen was ruled out of all three tests for the Lions against his native Australia last summer because of the foot injury.

He suffered a recurrence of the injury during his only appearance this season for Connacht against the Bulls in mid-October and while he marked his return to international duty with a hat-trick against Australia and also played against South Africa, the injury flared up again and the medical teams opted for surgery in an effort to resolve the issue.

Lancaster, who is preparing Connacht for the sellout clash with Leinster on Saturday, has only had Hansen available for one match this season since he took charge in the summer, while Connacht fans only saw him in action four times in 2025.

Injuries and international duty have curtailed his appearances for Connacht, making nine appearances last season and just four the previous term.

Hansen, now in his fifth season in Galway, has made a total of 42 appearances for Connacht, scoring 14 tries in the process, having played 14 games in each of his first two seasons at the Sportsground.