Mike Catt DENIES Mack Hansen was left out of Ireland’s side for World Cup opener against Romania due to disciplinary reasons… and refuses to entertain claims of a row made by Danny Cipriani

Mike Catt has denied that Mack Hansen’s surprise omission from the Ireland squad for their World Cup opener was for disciplinary reasons, while also refusing to comment on Danny Cipriani’s sensational claims.

Hansen will not feature in the matchday squad for Saturday’s match against Romania in Bordeaux, and he is Andy Farrell’s only regular player fit to play but not to make the 23.

Other frontline stars such as Josh van der Flier and Robbie Henshaw are on the bench, but Hansen has been left out entirely.

Farrell made it clear at the team announcement on Thursday that the winger was not injured, leading to speculation about a possible disciplinary reason.

The head coach had talked about how some of his younger players struggled with the environment in Biarritz ahead of their warm-up match against Samoa.

Ireland, number 1 in the world, kicks off the tournament against Romania on Saturday afternoon

Hansen (center) was left out due to rotation, according to Catt, who spoke Friday

But when Catt, Ireland’s attacking coach, was asked on Thursday whether Hansen was out for a breach of discipline, he replied: “Not at all, no.”

Catt had previously suggested it was a simple matter of squad rotation.

“It’s a long tournament first and foremost and we have to make sure we look after everyone,” he said.

‘In the same breath, there is also good competition in that area. There’s nothing Mack did wrong. It’s not that he performed poorly.

“He has done exceptionally well in the pre-season games and as we say, it is a long competition and we also need to keep people fresh.”

Catt refused to comment on claims of a feud between himself and Danny Cipriani (right) in the former England star’s autobiography

Catt was much less candid when asked about his place in Cipriani’s sensational memoir.

Cipriani was not included in the England squad for the 2015 World Cup, in which Catt, along with Farrell, served as assistants to Stuart Lancaster.

Although he is heavily critical of the format in his recently published autobiography, Cipriani discusses in particular vividly an argument with Catt during a pre-tournament training camp, which he says ended with Catt shouting at him: ‘As long as I ‘If I’m involved Ben, you will never play for England again’.

When asked if it was a distraction, Catt replied: “Not at all, no.” When pressed further if he had any thoughts on Cipriani’s claims, Catt smiled and said, “No.”