Hansen to return from injury in Connacht friendly

Mack Hansen has played just four times since Ireland's World Cup exit last October

Irish wing Mack Hansen is set to make his first appearance in more than nine months on Saturday having been named on the bench for Connacht's friendly against Glasgow Warriors.

The 26-year-old hasn't played since 1 January, when he dislocated his shoulder against Munster.

The injury caused him to miss Ireland's Six Nations championship and summer tour of South Africa.

Having beaten Sale Sharks at home last weekend, the trip to the URC champions (18:00 BST) is Connacht's second friendly in preparation for the new season which begins for the western province away to Munster on Saturday, 21 September (17:30).

With seven changes made by head coach Pete Wilkins, the warm-up fixture will also see a debut for New Zealander Josh Ioane who starts in the 10 jersey, having joined from Super Rugby's Chiefs this summer.

Former Ulster pair David O'Connor and Adam McBurney are also in the panel in what is their first season at the Sportsground, the latter joining Hansen on an extended bench.

Connacht: O’Conor; Bolton, Hawkshaw, Forde, Jennings; Ioane, Devine; Buckley, Tierney-Martin, Aungier; Joyce (capt), Murray; O’Connor, Oliver, Boyle.

Replacements: McBurney, Duggan, Illo, Murray, Dowling, McCormack, Hurley-Langton, Murphy, Carty, Porch, Treacy, Hansen.