Mack Hansen will make his first competitive Connacht appearance in more than 11 months when the province open their BKT United Rugby Championship season against the DHL Stormers at Dexcom Stadium on Friday night.
Hansen has been named on the right wing in Stuart Lancaster’s first matchday 23 of the new campaign after coming through pre-season without issue. It is the selection that gives Connacht’s opening night its edge.
A return with weight behind it
Connacht have spent the build-up talking about a positive pre-season, but Friday is where that work starts to count. The Stormers arrive with a physical reputation and Lancaster said his side will have to meet it head on.
Hansen’s return changes the feel of the occasion. He gives Connacht a proven international threat in a backline that also includes Cathal Forde, back from the injury that ended his previous season early.
Paul Boyle captains the side from number eight. Josh Ioane starts at out-half alongside Ben Murphy at scrum-half.
Fresh faces in the front row and on the bench
Francois van Wyk is selected for his Connacht debut at loosehead prop, with Eoin de Buitléar and Finlay Bealham alongside him. Academy back row Max Flynn is among the replacements and would also make his debut if introduced.
There are absences too. Connacht said the seven players involved in Ireland’s summer fixtures are not available this week, while Dave Heffernan and Harry West also miss the opener through injury. That makes the job tougher, but it also gives Lancaster an early look at the depth he will need over a long season.
The opening round rarely decides a campaign. It does reveal whether a side is ready for the argument. With Hansen back under the Friday-night lights in Galway, Connacht have given themselves a proper opening line.
Reporting: Connacht Rugby, RTÉ Sport