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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Michael Scully

James Lowe burns Mack Hansen as Ireland squad humming ahead of France clash

Spirits are high in a winning Ireland camp ahead of their big clash with France - for example, James Lowe couldn't resist snipping back three colleague Mack Hansen down to size when he got the chance!

Connacht winger Hansen got his hair cut at the turn of the new year - his first visit to the barbers in the 18 months he has been with the province.

And Leinster winger Lowe went in for the kill at his press conference today.

"Mate, he’s got a horrible haircut at the moment," beamed Lowe.

"My wife said he looks like a bit of a Karen at the moment - like he’s going to ask for the manager! Sure look, Mack is Mack."

Lowe returned from a short trip home to New Zealand for family reasons in time to be ready for last Saturday's Six Nations opener against Wales.

Mack Hansen at Ireland's warm weather training camp in Portugal this week (©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)

"Yeah, had to catch a bit of sunshine," said the 30-year-old, who scored Ireland's third try in a 34-10 triumph in Cardiff.

"You can’t get rid of me unfortunately, I’m like a bad smell. I’m back, not going anywhere and I’m ready to rumble.

"I’d told Faz (Andy Farrell) that I had to pop home for a couple of weeks.

"I'd got in touch with Jayo (S&C coach Jason Cowman) and all the medicals and everything, we got across everything I needed to do to make sure when I did come back I hit the ground running.

"I came back, straight into Portugal and it was the first time I’d trained with a team for three and half weeks and I felt like I was in great shape.

"Like I said, I didn’t skip a beat. I made sure I got across everything.

"It was nice to be given the opportunity and that trust was there. Faz gave me the opportunity after some good training and to be able to put in a performance that the team was happy with, that’s all that really matters."

Lowe says Ireland are preparing to face a "different French beast" on Saturday to the one that played in Rome last weekend as Fabien Galthie’s “world-class” side visit the Aviva Stadium.

Les Bleus were fortunate in the end to beat Italy but that doesn't lessen the occasion as many people's favourites for the Grand Slam go head to head.

“I know they would be disappointed with their performance against Italy, and credit to Italy, they fronted up physically,” said Lowe.

Ireland’s James Lowe celebrates with Mack Hansen after scoring during the 2023 Six Nations victory over Wales (©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)

“We know it’s a different French beast (this week), the France that we know is going to turn up.

"We’re prepping for that and can’t wait for the opportunity to test ourselves against the team that won the Grand Slam last year.

“They’re a world-class side, they’ve shown it for a good couple of years.

"Their nine-10 combo (Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack) is pretty scary, their back rowers are world-class, a midfield that’s very dangerous and a back three that would put the shivers up most teams.

“Individually they’ve got some pretty good firepower, so hopefully they don’t string it all together. It’s a whole new beast around the corner.”

Ireland are on the hunt for a record 13th win on the spin at home but have lost their last three encounters to France with Andy Farrell yet to taste victory against Les Bleus.

“It’s the second game of a Six Nations, I don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves,” said the 30-year-old.

“And I’m sure they’ll be saying the same things. It’s the old cliche, one game at a time, and we’ll take it like that.

“I didn’t know that he (Farrell) hadn’t beaten France, I haven’t beaten France yet so I wouldn’t mind having a go at them as well.

“I think we’re a different team now compared to where we were 12 months ago and we’re going to go out there and give it a good crack.

“The French are physical, I think it would be silly to say they’re not bigger than us. We think we’re fitter.”

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