Australian cult hero Mack Hansen scored two tries in a man of the match Six Nations performance for Ireland before completing the package with another hilarious interview.
The former Brumbies winger has been a revelation for the world’s No.1 team since making his Test debut against Wales last year.
And Hansen was merrily chatting through his star turn in Ireland’s 34-20 win over Italy in Rome on Sunday (AEDT) before attention turned to next month’s clash with Scotland.
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“I haven’t played at Murrayfield yet, so fingers crossed I can make that,” Hansen said, before he knocked the microphone stand and his face turned to horror.
“Oh, f—!,” the 24-year-old said before issuing multiple apologies.
“Oh, pardon, pardon, pardon… sorry!”
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Ireland holds off competitive Italy with 34-20 win in Rome
With Hansen in the thick of the action, Ireland notched a third win from three matches in the Six Nations for the first time since 2018, when the team last won the grand slam.
Ireland nailed a bonus point try after 35 minutes but couldn’t be certain of victory against the determined Italians until the 71st minute when Hansen grabbed his second.
“At a certain point, we weren’t sure we’d be able to bring home the win,” Ireland coach Andy Farrell said.
“I was told I was shown on TV several times while I was biting my nails. Well, I won’t hide the fact there was some nervousness.”
After beating defending champions France in the previous round, Farrell expected his seven new starters to make a seamless transition.
After all, Farrell’s Ireland have averaged 41 point winning margins against the perennial wooden spooners.
But the tension at Stadio Olimpico was a good measure of Italy’s growing skill set and self belief over the past year.
Italy’s fitness in past years faded in the last quarter but this Azzurri side was still firing shots to the end in another immensely respectable effort.
“We’re not stepping on the field against Ireland, the best team in the world, thinking its OK to lose by a few points,” Italy captain Michele Lamaro said.
“We want to smash them and win, that’s our mindset. Unfortunately, you can’t win with only heart. But when you put your heart completely into what you do, you manage to deeply impress observers on the outside, and this is very important.”
Ireland now take their title bid to Scotland in two weeks.
“We had to sweat the result because Italy is now a team that never gives up, with a very strong character,” Farrell said.
“We had to play to our full potential, also bringing out all our character, to get over it. I congratulate my boys, it wasn’t easy.”
England tame beleaguered Wales with 20-10 win in Cardiff
England piled on the misery for Wales with a 20-10 victory that left the beleaguered hosts nursing a third straight loss to open the Six Nations.
The Welsh haven’t made this bad a start to the tournament in 20 years and it continues a tempestuous campaign for the proud rugby nation, after a racism and bullying scandal and a contract dispute which dominated the buildup and made the game hostage to a threatened player strike.
Anthony Watson – on his first England start for two years – went over for the only try of the first half, and prop Kyle Sinckler and centre Ollie Lawrence added more after halftime to cap a workmanlike performance for the visitors, who won in Cardiff for the first time since 2017.
Wales’ sole try came from an intercept on halfway, with winger Louis Rees-Zammit motoring clear for the score.
Warren Gatland’s team was in touching distance of the visitors only because of a rare bad day off the kicking tee by England captain Owen Farrell, who had just two successful kicks from six.
For England coach Steve Borthwick, it’s two wins from three to start his tenure since replacing now Wallabies boss Eddie Jones.
His team continued to rely on big defence, a solid kick chase game and a strong set piece – the country’s traditional strengths. France at home and Ireland away makes for the toughest possible finish to the Six Nations for the English, however.
“We’re laying some foundations at the minute,” Farrell said.
“We want to keep building on it all It was a different challenge for us to come away from home to a place like this, a team that has had a lot going on during the week and have unified to come together for this crowd at the weekend. Fair play to them.”
Wales, meanwhile, will simply look to avoid a first wooden spoon for last place since 2003 when Gatland’s fellow New Zealander, Steve Hansen, was at the helm.
France hold off Scotland comeback to win 32-21 in Paris
Defending Six Nations champions France bounced back from losing to Ireland by holding off Scotland 32-21 at home on Monday (AEDT) to end Scottish hopes of a grand slam.
Tries from flyhalf Romain Ntamack, left winger Ethan Dumortier and fullback Thomas Ramos had France 19-0 ahead with as many minutes on the clock.
Two tries from centre Huw Jones saw the Scots rally to 22-14 down.
A Ramos penalty gave France some breathing space until playmaker Finn Russell – who was causing problems with his slick offloads – spotted a gap for a converted try to move the Scots within four points with 10 minutes left.
France was creaking but Scotland botched an attacking lineout to give away possession and let the French off the hook.
The relief was immense at Stade de France when veteran centre Gael Fickou went over right at the end for a bonus point fourth try, converted by Ramos.
France coach Fabien Galthie drew on the positives.
“We managed to get the bonus point and we took five points, they took none. We lost in Ireland and our watchword was falling down and rising back up,” he said.
“That’s what this game was about.”
Both sides were down to 14 men after 12 minutes for high tackles.
“We became a bit tense, lost our way a bit (after the red card),” Galthie said.
“There were ups and downs.”
Ntamack had already scored in the fifth minute when lock Grant Gilchrist was red carded two minutes later for a high tackle on Anthony Jelonch, while recalled France prop Mohamed Haouas saw red for appearing to target scrumhalf Ben White’s head.
Such indiscipline could cost Haouas a place in Galthie’s World Cup squad later this year.
Defeat leaves Gregor Townsend’s Scotland five points behind Ireland ahead of their clash at Murrayfield next month
Scotland, England and France all have 10 points and Galthie’s side faces another tough test next when it takes on England at Twickenham.
“We haven’t given up our trophy yet,” he said.
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