Brian O’Driscoll names Ireland player who has increased his Lions hopes

The Connacht man had a fine game.

The last two weeks of the Six Nations has seen the stock of a few Ireland players fall following a heavy defeat to France and a poor performance in a narrow win over Italy.

With the Lions squad being named on May 8, there is precious little time left to impress, and it looks as though England's charges may have made up a fair amount of ground on Ireland, after finishing the Six Nations with two big wins.

But while most of Ireland's men were far from their best against Italy, there were a few stand-outs, such as Hugo Keenan, Dan Sheehan, and Mack Hansen.

There were a few defensive lapses from Connacht's Hansen, which led to Italian tries, but going forward he looked back near his best, with 36 metres made, five defenders beaten, and a beautiful assist for Sheehan's third try.

Having missed the 2024 Six Nations and Ireland's summer tour to South Africa through injury, it has taken a while for Hansen to get back to top form, and he has fallen out of Lions selection discussions.

But speaking on ITV after Ireland's win over Italy, four-time Lion Brian O'Driscoll has backed Hansen to be on the plane to Australia.

He said: "You know, before the France game last week, there was a lot of conversation over how many Irish [players] will go on this Lions tour. Depending on who you asked, you could definitely have seen upwards of 16-17.

"Then, after the defeat to France, it was like, 'Woah, now all the 50/50 calls aren't as favourably going towards these Irish players."

"He was one that I think…it probably worked in his favour not playing that game last week. Then finishing the Six Nations as strongly as he did today…I thought he was excellent.

"We've lacked a little bit of firepower, a little bit of punch and acceleration, and he brought that today.

"Between him and Sheehan, I think that was the real X-factor players that shone through and were perhaps the difference between defeat and victory.

"I think Mack now, probably based on what we've seen today and on his ability - he can play at 15 if needs be - has done enough to get himself on the plane."