Rugby-Winger Hansen to make Ireland debut after rapid ascent

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn International - Ireland v Argentina - Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland - November 21, 2021 Ireland head coach Andy Farrell before the match REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

DUBLIN (Reuters) -Connacht's Mack Hansen will make his Ireland debut just months after the Australian-born winger's arrival in the country as coach Andy Farrell named an otherwise experienced side for Saturday's Six Nations opener against Wales.

Hansen, whose mother is Irish, has scored six tries in nine appearances since his Connacht debut last September. He comes in for the injured James Lowe in one of only two changes from the side that started November's commanding 29-20 win over New Zealand.