Nash embracing the 'freedom' in Munster attack

If you were to make a list of the Munster positives from last week's 38-26 defeat to Glasgow Warriors, two things would be certain.

First, it would be a very small list, and second, Calvin Nash's name would be at the top of it.

Having spent much of his Munster career waiting behind the likes of Keith Earls and Andrew Conway for a chance on the wing, the 25-year-old has grabbed his opportunity to impress this season. When Graham Rowntree confirms his team for Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 meeting with the Sharks in Durban later this afternoon, it's a safe bet that Nash will be starting in the 14 shirt.

The Limerick man has had to be patient in his career. Having made his Champions Cup debut in a dead rubber against the Ospreys in January 2020, he had to wait almost three years to experience a taste of the competition again, but has started each of the province's four games in Europe this season.

Four weeks ago, he scored two tries and was Player of the Match in their win against the Scarlets, while even in the disappointing loss to the Glasgow Warriors last weekend he was the standout from a Munster point of view, carrying for 11 metres and beating seven defenders, with his try late on securing them a bonus-point.

Munster's use of their wingers has been one of the big changes to their style since Rowntree become head coach, with Mike Prendergast running the attack.

Both Nash and Shane Daly - who has been the regular starter on the left wing this season - have consistently been drifting in off the touchline and getting involved with play infield, and it was from this license that Nash made his incisive break through the Glasgow defence on Saturday.

"Like, the attacking rugby, I've enjoyed it and it's not as much