Ireland vs Australia: McHansen returns to the Ireland squad, but Jimmy Osborne has been ruled out

British and Irish Lion Mack Hansen has been called up to the Ireland squad for the team’s remaining autumn tests, but Jimmy Osborne will be sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Ireland return to action against Australia on Saturday in Dublin (20:10 GMT) before facing world champions South Africa at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday 22 November (17:40 GMT).

Connacht’s Hansen has returned to the squad despite initially being ruled out of the autumn series due to a foot injury sustained in his side’s Rugby United Championship loss to the Bulls last month.

Hansen has never started at full-back for Ireland, although his last four Connacht appearances have been in that position, but with regular starter Hugo Keenan also out, the former Brumbies player gives coach Andy Farrell another option in his back three.

Osborne wore the number 15 shirt against New Zealand and Japan at the beginning of the month but was replaced by Jimmy O’Brien in the second half of the 41-10 win over the latter on Saturday and Farrell said afterwards that his shoulder injury “doesn’t look good”.

Hansen’s clubmate Darragh Murray was also called up to the squad with the second row capped during the summer tour to Georgia and Portugal.

Leinster duo Gary Ringrose and Josh van der Flier remain doubtful for this weekend’s match against the Wallabies due to hamstring strain and their progress will be monitored before the squad is announced on Thursday.

There is better news on the injury front as center Stuart McCluskey has made progress following a groin injury suffered against the All Blacks and is expected to take part fully in training this week.