Calvin Nash seizes chance in Ireland on the back of strong Munster form – Irish Times

A quick look back at Calvin Nash’s blossoming career: In his first cap against Italy last August, he came off the bench for Robbie Henshaw and played 19 minutes. He will make his first start for Ireland on the right wing on Friday, playing alongside Henshaw, who will start at outside center against France in place of the injured Garry Ringrose.

Those who know Nash say he will not be daunted by Henshaw’s move to Ringrose, even away at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome, which will be a new experience for many Irish players. Probably not. The former Ireland Under-20s captain has matured as a leader and has the form that Ireland manager Andy Farrell continues to praise in his players.

Henshaw won’t deploy in quite the same way defensively as Ringrose at age 13, but at 27 he’s ready to step up, which is a sign that Nash has a lot of players to play with. It’s clear in my heart. Ireland defense coach Simon Easterby recently addressed the topic of wingers.

“Jordan Larmour vs. Calvin Nash, they’re both very strong going forward,” Easterby said. “They both have great wheels and great footwork and work really hard on the ball as well as off the ball.

“They’re similar in a lot of ways. They attack like it’s their last game, they give it their all. It’s great to have guys like that around. Just their skill set. It’s also because of the other things they do and the extras,” and the work they do around the team on both sides of the ball. So he’s got two really, really good players who have just sat in the side a little bit. Jordan, like Naschy, has been in and out a bit, but both have gotten their chance at top-quality European rugby in their hometowns this year. ”

Mac Hansen’s difficulties are Nash’s opportunities. At least, that’s what Farrell thinks. The Australian-born World Cup winger underwent surgery in early January for a dislocated shoulder he sustained in Connacht’s win over Munster on New Year’s Day, but is expected to be out for up to four months. He will miss all matches in the Six Nations Championship.

Left wingers Hansen and James Rowe have benefited not only from their finishing ability, but also from their indefatigable infield rucking and tackling throughout the game and from their constant presence at the forefront of Ireland’s attack. ing. The differences, the qualities that many disappointed Larmour fans recognize in him, are also what Farrell is looking for in Nash.

“This is a reward for him coming to camp and understanding what the job within the team is like for him and leaving camp to work on those parts. In fact, he’s improving his game. He was very good at improving most areas,” Farrell said.

“In terms of his workload and stuff like that, that’s to be expected, but the work he does without the ball and the work he does with the ball and making the difference and being that extra link in attack. Finding a way to become “by leaps and bounds” is really paying off. Once again, all you need in life is a chance, and it’s a big one for Calvin. ”

Nash will offer many of the qualities of his opponent on the left wing of the French national team, but Yoram Moefana is more experienced at Test level with 23 caps. France attack coach Patrick Arlettas on Wednesday pointed to the Bordeaux-Bagels players’ mid-season form and ambitious physicality as aspects of their selling points.

“Yoram has been doing well since the beginning of the season,” Arlettas said. “He has the physicality to break tackles and put pressure on the ruck.”

Judging from Fabien Galtier’s comments, there is no doubt that the opening game is becoming a powerful baptism for Nash. There is some mystery as to what exactly the French coach said, but there is less question about its qualitative meaning.

“The choice was between running intensity or fighting intensity. We chose fighting intensity,” Galthie said.

There is no shortage of passion in Marseille, and the challenge is how Irish payers can meet that energy. How Nash responds while Hansen repairs will strengthen the right’s case. Either that or let Farrell think again. Either way, Nash took his chance.