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The Irish Sun

‘It shows intent' – Ireland legend claims Mack Hansen and Leinster star ‘very lucky' to be in British & Irish Lions team

MACK HANSEN and James Ryan are "very lucky" to be in the British & Ireland Lions squad, according to Keith Wood. And the former Lions and Advertisement 2 Mack Hansen is one of 15 Ireland players picked for the Lions Credit: Ben McShane/Sportsfile 2 Keith Wood said he and James Ryan were lucky to be selected Credit: Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile Leo Cullen's men suffered more pain in the Investec According to Wood, it was a symptom of Leinster being left behind by a changing sport to which other teams are adapting faster. The former World Player of the Year said: "Leinster had gone into the game having nilled two big teams in the previous matches. "They looked incredibly comfortable, until they weren't! Advertisement Read More on Lions "Northampton plotted a route with some very young players who had the rugby IQ to do things a little bit differently. "The game has been changing since last autumn and I don't know that Ireland and Leinster have changed as much with it and it actually looked like Northampton had. "So, the idea of running at pace onto a ball, looking for a gap, not looking for contact, not looking to go through phases to get to the next one. "That totally destabilized Leinster and they looked undercooked and a little bit shell-shocked by the manner in which Northampton played." Advertisement Most read in Rugby Union Despite this, Wood still expected to see plenty of Leinster players represented in the Of the Andy Farrell picks Simon Easterby among British & Irish Lions coaching team But Wood believes Hansen and Leinster's The two-time trialist said: "There were a couple of Leinster guys who were lucky to get on to the plane. Advertisement "James Ryan was lucky. He has been injured for a while. He was overlooked for the last tour. "He was definitely jaded before that. "He is a central player within Ireland and Leinster but we haven't seen a huge amount of him of late. "Coaches know all the details, but I am never keen on bringing guys who are injured because it disrupts the tour when you have to bring out a whole load of new guys. Advertisement "There were a good few injuries in the second row with the Lions. I think we seem to be a little bit light there. I think that's the reason for Ryan's pick. "Mack Hansen is equally very lucky. it. "Up until the "He is one of the most comfortable players you've seen in a winger's jersey . Advertisement "He is happy to be the first receiver, doing whatever is required. He has time and he plays with a level of calm that is rare. "But he has been out injured for a while, and he hasn't been at his peak this year. "His selection is an example of Farrell looking at a guy he knows can be someone to unlock defences and who takes a lot of pressure off the ten. "It also shows a level of intent of trying to have as many playmakers there as possible." Advertisement Keith Wood was speaking on behalf of Melbourne and Sydney then head over to Genting Casino