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Farrell says Hansen 'ready and able' to step-in at full-back for Ireland / Photo: SAEED KHAN - AFP/File
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Farrell says Hansen 'ready and able' to step-in at full-back for Ireland
Ireland coach Andy Farrell believes Mack Hansen has "the bit between his teeth" after being chosen to deputise at full-back in Saturday's clash with his native Australia in Dublin.
Canberra-born Hansen will wear the number 15 jersey at Test level for the first time, the 27-year-old having only returned to the squad last weekend after a foot issue.
The wing, who has 28 caps, initially sustained the injury during the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, denying him a chance to take on the Wallabies in his homeland.
Hansen has full-back experience with provincial side Connacht and replaces the injured Jamie Osborne as one of nine personnel changes following last weekend's 41-10 rout of Japan.
Farrell, also in charge of the Lions' 2-1 series win in Australia in July and August, said of Hansen: "He was in great form, certainly within the Lions series; I mean, wow, I hadn't seen him in better form actually, and then obviously the foot injury stopped that progress.
"But I think he's got the bit between his teeth as far as what he learnt on that tour. He played his last game at 15 as well (for Connacht).
"Coming back into the group, he got across his work Sunday and Monday and then trained the house down on Tuesday.
"He's proved, not just to us, the coaching staff, but to everyone else that he's up for this and ready and able."
Fly-half Sam Prendergast will make his first start of a November campaign that began for Ireland with a 26-13 loss to New Zealand in Chicago after being preferred to Jack Crowley.
Farrell, asked about his change of stand-off after naming his team on Thursday, said: "Jack's done some good stuff and had three weeks in the driving seat as far as preparation is concerned. Giving Sam an opportunity within a big game is pretty important to him, and to Jack as well.
"He came on, played pretty well, so giving him the opportunity to hold the reins on Saturday night is the one that we have gone with."
T.Cusumano--INP
