Bayonne new boy Reece Hodge eager for taste of European action

He's the new man in a new team and Reece Hodge is looking forward to tasting some European action.

The 63-cap Australia international joined Bayonne over the summer after spending seven years with Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby.

The 29-year-old centre has toured the northern hemisphere many times with the Wallabies but the decision to test himself out at elite club level sees him thrust into a hectic Top14 and Champions Cup schedule.

However, injury has kept the Sydney native out of action but he's hopeful he can play some part against Munster on Saturday evening (5.30pm, live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).

"I have heard how awesome an atmosphere it is, how much the crowd rallies behind Munster, that it's a pretty historical place within Irish rugby," Hodge told RTÉ Sport.

"I’d love to play there and I can't wait for the prospect.

"It’s definitely a competition I’ve always wanted to play in, to be able to challenge yourself against the best players and the best teams in Europe and the world is a special opportunity.

"At this point in time it’s probably stronger than the southern hemisphere, very different style of rugby due to conditions.

"I’ve been lucky enough to play in the great stadiums of Europe in international matches but I’m really excited about the prospect of playing at smaller grounds [in France as well] that are steeped in a lot of history.

"The atmosphere and the crowd noise is completely different than we get back home."

Meanwhile, Munster hooker Diarmuid Barron says thagt playing for Ireland is a goal but acknowledges that Andy Farrell's side is stacked with talent and that consistency on the big stage, such as in Saturday's clash, is the key to his progression.

The 25-year-old, who this week signed a contract extension