Connacht head coach Pete Wilkins expresses optimism about Mack Hansen's contract renewal despite no official announcement from the IRFU.
Pete Wilkins claims that Mack Hansen remains on course to stay with Connacht despite no white smoke from the IRFU on a new deal. The Union announced four central contract extensions over a 26-hour period on Monday and Tuesday, with Leinster's Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter signing two year deals and James Ryan penning a three-year contract, and Connacht 's Bundee Aki committing to the summer of 2026.
As for Hansen, whose current contract also expires this summer, the Connacht head coach is optimistic. 'Yes, it still looks confident,' said Wilkins. 'That's a work in progress at this stage, but I know they're in negotiations at the moment. So, yeah, nothing to report, but we're confident that things are progressing as they should.' READ MORE:Bundee Aki's contract situation is cleared up in boost to Connacht ahead of Leinster clash READ MORE:Fourth Ireland rugby star makes big commitment as IRFU work through contract issues before Christmas Aki was linked in the French media with a possible move to Toulon in the summer, but the centre himself dismissed the speculation last month when he said his contract would end in 2026 rather than 12 months earlier. The IRFU announced as much yesterday, with Wilkins confirming that the agreement was the Union - and Aki - taking up the option of another year for the 34-year-old. It's a boost ahead of Saturday's visit to the Aviva Stadium to face Leinster. 'I don't think you worry because I think naturally when there's a high profile player, you always expect there to be demand and interest from elsewhere any time those contract renewals come around,' said Wilkins of the Toulon link. 'And for most of these players, they're on two year contracts, so it's pretty often that these things come up. 'The reassuring bit for us was knowing how important he is to Irish rugby and knowing that the IRFU would be incredibly supportive about having the intent to keep him on board, and also knowing how happy he is in Galway and in Irelan
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