| Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Saturday, 19 November Kick-off: 20:00 GMT |
| Protection: Dwell on BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Sounds; reside textual content commentary and match report on the BBC Sport web site |
Mack Hansen says switching allegiance from Australia to Eire was one of the best choice of his profession and life as he prepares to face his nation of start.
Canberra-born wing Hansen is poised to play the Wallabies for the primary time in Saturday’s autumn Take a look at in Dublin.
The previous Australia Beneath-20 participant has proved an enormous hit for Eire since making his debut earlier this 12 months.
“Since I made my choice there have been no ideas of backtracking in any respect,” mentioned Hansen, 24.
“I am very comfortable the place I’m. I suppose you might assume what would have been with something so no, the choice to play for Eire has been one of the best choice of my profession and my life.
“I am loving it over right here and having fun with it. It’s nonetheless good to listen to out of your friends and folks again dwelling however not as soon as have I been upset or type of thought ‘what if?’.”
Hansen, whose mom Diana hails from Cork, joined Connacht from Brumbies forward of the 2021-22 season and has tailored seamlessly to worldwide rugby after incomes his first cap in opposition to Wales on this 12 months’s Six Nations.
He has scored three tries in eight appearances for Andy Farrell’s aspect, together with scores within the autumn Take a look at wins over world champions South Africa and Fiji, and was this week nominated for World Rugby’s breakthrough Participant of the Yr award.
Hansen is anticipated to begin in opposition to a Wallabies aspect seeking to bounce again after final weekend’s shock defeat by Italy and says he’s relishing the prospect of exchanging taunts with the Australian gamers on the Aviva Stadium.
“Whitey (Nic White) can be chirpy like at all times, however the remainder of them aren’t very witty or good,” joked Hansen.
“That is what the entire sport is about. It is about going to warfare on the sector after which afterwards simply with the ability to have fun about it and be capable of get pleasure from a quiet beer or two.
“I am trying ahead to it. It’ll be actually cool. I have never performed any of those earlier than and loads of them are good mates of mine. It’ll be a terrific expertise.”
Whereas Hansen says shifting to Galway “wasn’t like coming into a brand new world in any respect”, he concedes he can be extra aware of the opposition nationwide anthem on Saturday, prompting a plea to tv crews working on the sport.
“I suppose it is simply one thing I will need to expertise when it occurs. I am undecided,” he admitted when requested how he’ll really feel through the anthems.
“I am nonetheless attempting to study the Irish one. I sing from the beginning after which simply type of fade away on the finish.
“So if any cameraman is studying this text, movie me on the very begin once I’m completely singing the factor.
“He stopped on me for what felt like about 10 minutes final time and I did not comprehend it in the direction of the top.”
