Ireland wing Hansen fit to start quarter-final

Hansen injured his calf against Scotland having earlier gone off in that game for a head injury assessment

Ireland wing Mack Hansen has won his race to be fit for Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell's starting line-up is unchanged from last weekend's Pool B win over Scotland.

There are two changes on the bench with lock Joe McCarthy and Jimmy O'Brien called in.

Versatile Leinster back O'Brien is the only Ireland player yet to feature at this World Cup.

Hansen's calf issue meant he missed some training this week, so his availability is a major boost for the world's number one side ahead of Saturday's knockout match.

James Ryan has been ruled out having failed to recover from his wrist injury, meaning Iain Henderson continues in the second row alongside Tadhg Beirne. Stuart McCloskey is the other player to drop out of the matchday 23.

Wing James Lowe starts after recovering from the eye injury he sustained against Scotland.

Ireland are attempting to reach the semi-finals for the first time having been knocked out at this stage in seven previous tournaments, including to the All Blacks in 2019.

While the Irish aim to avenge that painful defeat in Tokyo four years ago, New Zealand hope to banish the memories of last summer's Test series defeat by Farrell's side on home soil.

New Zealand head coach Ian Foster will name his team on Thursday evening.

With Ryan ruled out, Ulster captain Henderson starts a World Cup quarter-final for the third time.

Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong remain in the front row, while Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris remain in the back row.

Ireland team v New Zealand

Ireland: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (capt), Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; Beirne, Henderson; O'Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris.

Replacements: Kelleher, Kilcoyne, Bealham, McCarthy, Conan, Murray, Crowley, O'Brien.