Mack Hansen ruled out of Connacht’s ‘all or nothing’ URC clash with Stormers
Connacht's Mack Hansen during the United Rugby Championship match against Munster at The Sportsground in Galway. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Connacht have confirmed that Irish winger Mack Hansen will not be available for the “all or nothing” home tie with Stormers this weekend which could prove crucial in deciding both their URC play-off hopes as well their Champions Cup qualification.
Hansen dislocated his shoulder in the festive derby success against Munster and has not featured for club or country since.
Wilkins is hopeful that he might return for the final regular season encounter with Leinster next week and the club are working alongside Irish medics in a bid to also ensure he might make Ireland’s summer tour to world champions South Africa.
“I’m not expecting him to be available for this weekend,” said coach Peter Wilkins.
“He’s 90% there I suppose in terms of his return to fitness. His shoulder is not at the point yet where he can be confident, or we can be confident, about the live contact element of it.
“So each week he is doing contact testing on the shoulder in terms of tackling, breakdown work and ball-carrying. The physios are treating in between that and there is a lot of rehab work going on.
“But it really is week on week and seeing if he has the functionality in those contact areas but also that he doesn’t pull up afterwards because of any ill-effects.
“If we saw him for Leinster, I wouldn’t be surprised. But if I didn’t see him again for pre-season, I wouldn’t be surprised. I don’t think it’s something we can predict which is frustrating but the most important thing is to get him back.
“Our medics would liaise really closely with the Irish medics and their rehab staff. They would be really aligned with that
“We’re totally aligned and there is no pressure from them. It’s really about getting him right for our sake, his sake and their sake.”
There is some good news for beleaguered supporters following Saturday’s horror show in Thomond Park as Puma wing Santiago Cordero will make his seasonal bow after his pre-season ACL.
“He trained fully today, trained fully last week but he will be available for selection which is good news for us and good news for him. It’s testament to all the hard work he has put in to get back in such good time. So that’s very positive.
Influential flanker Cian Prendergast also returns after his thumb injury healed.
“If we get two wins, we’d be confident of where we need to be. If we get one, we are relying on results which to date haven’t done us too many favours. But this week is all about us. It’s all or nothing in that sense.”
