Ireland winger Mack Hansen to miss Six Nations

Ireland winger Mack Hansen is ruled out of the upcoming Six Nations tournament following a shoulder injury.

The 25-year-old sustained the injury during Connacht's United Rugby Championship game over Munster in the New Year's day.

Hansen has undergone a surgery on his shoulder and is set to be out of action for four months which effectively rules him out of the upcoming Six Nations tournament.

“We were surprised there wasn’t at least further scrutiny on the clear-out to be brutally honest. But if the citing officer decides that it is not at least a discussion level of being a possible red card then there is no further we can take it,” said Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins.

“It’s disappointing for us to lose Mack for such a period of time. Obviously there will be a knock-on effect to the Irish campaign in the Six Nations as well and most of all disappointing for Mack.

"He was starting to find some form and rhythm, having been stop-start since the World Cup, so everyone loses out in that sense and I think the fans will miss watching him play as well.

“So it is up to us to fill that gap and obviously other players get a chance to step up.”

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is set to name the squad for a training camp in Portugal next week.