One of the biggest undercurrents of this Six Nations has been the looming Lions tour of Australia this summer.
Having taken a step back from the Ireland setup, Andy Farrell will have been busy putting together the squad that he will bring Down Under in July.
The biggest chance yet for players to put their hand up for selection comes to a close this Saturday, with the Six Nations drawing to a close.
Though the knockout stages of the Champions Cup are still to be played, any players on the fringes of selection are now running out of time to make their case.
Before the Six Nations got underway, the widely held wisdom was that Farrell's Irish team would make up the bulk of the touring Lions squad, with Caelan Doris the runaway favourite to captain the side.
The Boys in Green's somewhat lacklustre performance in the latter stages of the tournament has damaged the case of several players thought to be locks earlier this year, though Brian O'Driscoll thinks one man's case has been strengthened by his exploits this spring.
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Brian O'Driscoll makes big Mack Hansen Lions shout after win in Rome
15 March 2025; Mack Hansen of Ireland celebrates as team-mate Dan Sheehan, not pictured, scores their side's second try during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Italy and Ireland at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Few Ireland players stood out in their nervy win in Rome on Saturday but wing Mack Hansen was certainly one of them.
Dynamic in attack, Hansen's quick-thinking in patting the ball down from the touchline for Dan Sheehan to score was Ireland's best moment of the game.
One thing that was not up for debate was that Ireland were certainly the better for having Hansen back, after the Connacht man missed last week's defeat to France.
Speaking on ITV after Saturday's win over Italy, Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll mused that missing that French game was just one of several factors that meant Hansen likely has one foot on the plane for the Lions tour.
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.
There was one blot on Hansen's copybook on Saturday, as he misjudged a kick-through to allow Italy in for their second try with 20 minutes to play.
However, both O'Driscoll and Italian legend Sergio Parisse agreed that he had merely been "unlucky" with the unpredictable bounce of the ball.
Mack Hansen and his wing counterpart James Lowe will both harbour hopes of not only touring with the Lions but starting in the three tests Down Under.
They will certainly not have done their chances any harm with their exploits in what was a mixed Six Nations for Ireland.
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