Hansen commits to Connacht until 2025
IRELAND wing Mack Hansen has signed a new deal with Connacht, keeping him with the province until at least 2025. Hansen, who was born in Australia but qualifies for Ireland through his Cork-born mother, burst on to the Test scene this season. He starred in Ireland’s Triple Crown-winning Six Nations campaign, named man-of-thematch on his Six Nations bow against Wales, then scored a stunning try when Ireland lost to France in Paris. ‘Ever since I arrived in Ireland, I cannot speak highly enough of the staff and my team-mates who have made me feel right at home,’ Hansen told Connacht’s official website. ‘Personally, I am pleased with how my first season has gone, and now I want to do everything I can to help the club achieve success for the next three seasons.’ Meanwhile, London Irish hooker Agustin Creevy has received a one-week ban after he was cited for pulling an opposition player’s hair. Citing commissioner Eugene Ryan lodged a complaint against Creevy after he pulled Toulon second row Eben Etzebeth’s hair during a European Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat to the French side last weekend. Former Argentina captain Creevy accepted the charge during an independent disciplinary hearing, and he will be unavailable for next week’s English Premiership Rugby Cup final between Irish and Worcester.