‘Pinch-me moment’: Hansen set for Canberra homecoming with Lions

British and Irish Lions winger Mack Hansen is set for a memorable homecoming in Canberra after being named on the bench to face the Brumbies on Wednesday.

Hansen was offered a chance to stay at the Brumbies four years ago, but moved to Ireland where he has become a key part the national team under Lions coach Andy Farrell.

Hansen was in the crowd in Canberra the last time the Lions visited 12 years ago, when the Brumbies won 14-12. The winger will have 30 friends and family at GIO Stadium on Wednesday and said that this return was beyond anything he could have imagined.

“It’s a bit of a pinch-me moment … not in my wildest dreams could I imagine I’d be back here playing for the Lions, so it’s very special,” Hansen said.

There is no room for Farrell’s son Owen in the Lions squad, but he could face the AUNZ XV in Adelaide on Saturday.

Lions captain Maro Itoje returns after an outstanding display against the Reds and is partnered in the second row by his likely Test teammate, Ireland’s Joe McCarthy.

British and Irish Lions winger Mack Hansen will make a memorable return to Canberra.Credit: Getty Images

Scottish playmaker Finn Russell will get what is likely to be his final run for the Lions before the Test series.

His potential direct opponent, Wallabies five-eighth Noah Lolesio could still face the Lions in the first Test in Brisbane after being discharged from hospital following his exit from the field against Fiji on Sunday in a neck brace.

Lolesio was cleared of any serious injury and rejoined his Wallabies teammates in the team hotel in Newcastle on Sunday evening. He will be monitored by medical staff during the next three days in Brisbane before a final decision is made on his fitness for the Lions Test series.

Lolesio made a break on the hour mark on Sunday and was tackled by Fiji breakaway Elia Canakaivata. His head hit the turf with force, leading to the five-eighth leaving the field in a neck brace.

It has been eight weeks since Lolesio was taken from the field for the Brumbies on a medicab after being caught awkwardly in a ruck against the Western Force in Perth. Lolesio was similarly discharged from hospital after scans showed no fractures to his neck.

Force playmaker Ben Donaldson replaced Lolesio against Fiji and Reds five-eighth Tom Lynagh also remains in contention to face the Lions.

The Brumbies have named their squad to take on the Lions on Wednesday in Canberra, with dry conditions forecast for the capital after Lions coach Andy Farrell accused the Waratahs of watering the Allianz Stadium surface on Saturday.

The Brumbies finished as the strongest Australian Super Rugby side this year, reaching the semi-finals, before losing to the Chiefs in Hamilton.

Coach Stephen Larkham has been forced to name a weakened side with eight of his frontline players having run out for the Wallabies against Fiji on Sunday.

Winger Corey Toole will start for the Brumbies after being released from Wallabies camp and Tom Hooper starts at breakaway after an impressive cameo off the bench for Australia against Fiji.

Coach Les Kiss has also named a strong AUNZ side, which includes All Blacks David Havili, Hoskins Sotutu, Shannon Frizell, Folau Fakatava.

The squad also includes Marika Koroibete, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Pete Samu, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Seru Uru for the showpiece game on Saturday in Adelaide.

Schmidt will name a revised Wallabies squad on Friday to take on the Lions, with tight-head prop Taniela Tupou facing a nervous wait after a difficult night playing for the Waratahs last Saturday in Sydney.

If Tupou does not make the Wallabies squad, he remains eligible for the First Nations and Pasifika XV that will face the Lions in Melbourne on July 22.

Will Skelton and Rob Valetini are continuing their rehabilitation from calf injuries, with both forwards in the frame to play a part in the first Test in Brisbane.

All matches of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia are live & on demand on Stan Sport, with Wallabies Tests in 4K. All Test matches live and free on Channel 9 & 9Now.

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