Ireland team winners & losers: Andy Farrell backs Prendergast claiming ‘ability outweighs’ flaws while ‘under par’ star trusted to batter Springboks

Following the announcement of Andy Farrell’s Ireland team to face the Springboks on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium, here are our winners and losers.

Winners

Mack Hansen

A hat-trick against Australia in his first start at full-back for Ireland means that it was an easy decision for Farrell to retain Mack Hansen in the number 15 jersey.

The Connacht star has had another challenging year with injuries, but hit the ground sprinting against his country of birth. Farrell was somewhat forced into trialling Hansen in the role with Hugo Keenan and Jamie Osborne sidelined but it’s worked a treat.

Bundee Aki