Calvin Nash welcomes Mack Hansen return and relishes Ireland battle

Calvin Nash admits he found it incredibly hard to sit back and watch Munster's ten-try thriller with Connacht, a match in which Ireland rival Mack Hansen made a statement comeback.

Munster wing Nash was the biggest beneficiary of the unfortunate shoulder injury suffered by Hansen when the teams met on New Year's Day.

The 27-year-old went on to start all seven Ireland Tests since, five in the Six Nations and the summer games against South Africa, as Hansen went through a long rehabilitation.

Upon his return, in Connacht's 35-33 loss to Munster at the weekend, Hansen played like he’d never been away, a constant threat with ball in hand, popping up all over the field and showing how much the province missed him in his absence.

It served as a timely reminder to Ireland head coach Andy Farrell that the 26-year-old, who scored nine tries in 21 internationals, isn’t going anywhere and wants his jersey back when New Zealand come to town on 8 November.

"Of course, I am [in competition with him]," Nash, Munster's player of the year last season, told RTÉ Sport.

"He's a great player and I didn't expect him to be lying down against Munster of all teams.

"It's unreal to have Mack back, he's an unbelievable player and I can't imagine that the last few months have been easy for him.

"Delighted to have him back. Competition is great to have and hopefully it brings out the best in me."

Graham Rowntree’s side scored five tries, including three from backs Shane Daly, Mike Haley and Alex Nankivell, and Nash - who is being phased back into action after the summer tour - admitted that he would have loved to be involved in an incredible season-opener.

"I was screaming, it's so tough watching games, delighted with could get the five points," he said.

"I