Mack Hansen

Andy Farrell's juggernaut Irish side claimed a hard-fought 22-7 victory over Scotland. Mack Hansen was sensational, but he had plenty of help.

The other Ireland star that merits a big mention is Cian Healy. [Peter O’Mahony ref-mic comment sums up Ireland feelings towards controversial early try decision](https://cms.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/peter-omahony-ref-mic-comment-sums-ireland-feelings-towards-controversial-early-try-decision-284987) [“Men against boys!”- England stars torn into after French rout](https://cms.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/england-france-reaction-284969) [Ireland vs. Not only carrying out his customary roll as Ireland's breakdown specialist, Van Der Flier stepped up to the plate when both Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher were forced off. What can you say about this man that hasn't been said already? In the second half, Hansen continued his stellar performance, with a number of crucial turnovers accompanying a tremendous aerial take in the lead up to James Lowe's try. Decimated by injuries, which saw the Irish forward pack ravaged in the opening half, a perseverant Ireland held Scotland scoreless in the second half, and ultimately eased to a three try victory in the Scottish capital.

Jim Hamilton has shared an Instagram chat between himself and Mack Hansen, revealing the tattoo he must get after Ireland's win over Scotland.

"I've also got recently...Peter Dooley, his dad's name is Gerry and I call him Gerry all the time, so I got "Gerry Dooley" on my leg in nice running writing. When I got an actual face of just one of my mates she wasn't very happy with that. At the moment it seems like a great idea.

Here's how we rated the Irish players after their 22-7 win against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Ireland's scrum was dominant with Healy hooking, which is a remarkable feat and one of the most important showings he's had in his 121-cap career. His try was the obvious highlight, but led the team in carries with 14 for more than 100 metres, while he also chipped in with a couple of offloads. Missed the target with three of those throws, but two of those were very late in the game, by which point it was sewn up. The Connacht wing had his fingerprints on pretty much every positive Irish attack; he scored the first try with a spectacular diving finish in the corner, he sparked the second try with a brilliant catch of a box-kick before offloading to Sexton, and his skip-pass sent Conan in to score the third. The only blemish was the offload he lost forward late in the game, having been stopped short of the line, but it was an inconsequential mistake. With a few minutes of the second half played, it looked like the day was going to turn sour for Ireland.

The Connacht wing earned this third player-of-the-match award in eight Six Nations appearances for Ireland.

Receiving the ball from Gibson-Park, he feinted outside and then back in, holding the ball for the additional fraction of a second it took to suck in all three of Sione Tuipuluto, Huw Jones and Van der Merwe. It’s mad to think that he has played in only eight championship games for Ireland. One of those key Hansen involvements led to a try for his kindred spirit on the opposite flank.