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ASSISTANT coach Mike Catt has categorically denied Mack Hansen’s shock omission for Ireland’s Rugby World Cup opener against Romania is down to an internal disciplinary issue.
Australia-born wing Hansen has been among Ireland’s standout players amid their current 13-match winning run but was the only first-team regular left out of today’s Pool B clash in Bordeaux.
Head coach Andy Farrell confirmed the 25-year-old was not injured when announcing his team on Thursday.
The Englishman then volunteered information about some members of his squad succumbing to off-field distractions when the team were based in Biarritz for their final warm-up game against Samoa in nearby Bayonne.
“The reason we went there is that there’s a lot of distraction that goes on, certainly when you’re in a hotel that’s on the beach.
“Some people handled that brilliantly, some people didn’t.”
Farrell’s cryptic admission fuelled speculation in the wake of Hansen’s surprise non-selection.
Yet Catt insisted the Connacht player has not breached team rules.
“It’s making sure that we look after everybody,” Catt replied when asked why Hansen has been left out.
“There is nothing that Mack has done wrong. It’s not that he’s performed badly at all.
“He’s done exceptionally well in his pre-season games and like we say, it’s a long competition and we need to keep people fresh too.”
