Calvin Nash ready for returning competition in Ireland

It has been quite the year for Munster and Ireland winger Calvin Nash, who has taken full advantage of the opportunities that have arisen.

Having been a crucial part of the Munster side who won the URC in 2023, Nash went on to made his Ireland debut that summer.

While he missed out on the squad for the World Cup last year, the Munster winger did not let that dent his form, and was key to Ireland retaining their Six Nations crown, starting all five games.

The 27-year-old was also part of the side that drew the series in South Africa.

"I was delighted to make my debut", said Nash.

"I didn't know how it was going to go and it was massively disappointing not to make the World Cup squad. It was hard to know where I stood.

"Coming into the Six Nations I kinda thought I might get one game off the bench but ended up starting.

"I just kept starting every week. I was beaming. I didn't think I would be selected so high up."

Nash's Six Nations debut came away to France, where he admitted nerves were taking over ahead of his first start for his country.

The winger scored his first Ireland try, as Ireland recorded an impressive 39-17 win.

"The training week we had, I was trying my best to get all over my detail so I could try to express myself and not be caught up with all the calls, where do I have to be?

"As much work as I did, I couldn't shake my nerves for the French game, I was up the walls.

"It was so extreme. Faz pulled me over in the captain's run and was like, 'hey lad, what's going on with you, you are totally different'.

"To me I was hiding it perfectly well, but clearly I wasn't. Having a chat with him and Gary [Keegan, performance coach] put me at ease.

"The self-doubt that was creeping in and snowballing seemed to stop.