Ireland v New Zealand: Mack Hansen fit to start Rugby World Cup quarter-final

Hansen injured his calf against Scotland having earlier gone off in that game for a head injury assessment

Ireland wing Mack Hansen has won his race to be fit for Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand.

Hansen hurt his calf win in last week's win over Scotland but has recovered in time to start against the All Blacks, while James Ryan is ruled out.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell's starting line-up is unchanged from last weekend's Pool B win over Scotland.

There are two changes on the bench with lock Joe McCarthy and Jimmy O'Brien called in.

Hansen's calf issue meant he missed some training this week, so his availability is a major boost for the world's number one side ahead of Saturday's knockout match.

Asked about Hansen's selection, Farrell said the Ireland medical team "is very confident that he's going to be fine".

"He's obviously had a few things to do at the beginning of the week but he's coming good," added the Ireland coach.

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Versatile Leinster back O'Brien is the only Ireland player yet to feature at this World Cup and Farrell said that his ability to play in several positions led to him being preferred to Ulster's Stuart McCloskey, who came on as a replacement in last weekend's win over Scotland.

Ryan has been ruled out having failed to recover from his wrist injury, meaning Iain Henderson continues in the second row alongside Tadhg Beirne, with McCloskey the other player to drop out of the matchday 23.

Wing James Lowe starts after recovering from the eye injury he sustained against Scotland.

With Ryan ruled out, Ulster captain Henderson starts a World Cup quarter-final for the third time.

Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong remain in the front row, while Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris remain in the back row.

Hugo Keenan is retained at full-back, Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki continue at centres while captain Johnny Sexton is again joined at half-back by Jamison Gibson-Park.

Jimmy O'Brien's versatility seems him drafted on to the Ireland bench as Ulster's Stuart McCloskey drops out of the match day squad

Farrell expects Ryan and other injured squad members Robbie Henshaw and Keith Earls, who have have hamstring injuries, to be in contention for the World Cup semi-final against either Wales or Argentina - if Ireland reach the last four.

"They are progressing very well the both of them [Earls and Henshaw] and James Ryan's wrist injury has been sorted and we expect him as well to be fit for next week if we are able to get that far."

Farrell revealed that utility back O'Brien had been not been considered for Ireland's opening games against Romania and Tonga because of a shoulder injury he sustained in the warm-up win over Samoa.

"Jimmy is unbelievably fit and unbelievably good at fitting into numerous different positions so with the little bit of disruption we've had at the start of the week, it just makes more sense for us to go with that option," added the Ireland coach.

Ireland, who have won their last 17 Tests, are attempting to reach the semi-finals for the first time having been knocked out at this stage in seven previous tournaments, including to the All Blacks in 2019.

While the Irish aim to avenge that painful defeat in Tokyo four years ago, New Zealand hope to banish the memories of last summer's Test series defeat by Farrell's side on home soil.

New Zealand head coach Ian Foster will name his team on Thursday evening.

Ireland team v New Zealand

Ireland: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (capt), Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; Beirne, Henderson; O'Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris.

Replacements: Kelleher, Kilcoyne, Bealham, McCarthy, Conan, Murray, Crowley, O'Brien.