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Nash featured during Munster's pre-season friendlies. Tommy Dickson/INPHO
wingman

Nash targets big breakthrough year on the Munster wing

The 21-year-old has featured heavily during the province’s pre-season programme and is hoping to nail down a regular starting spot.

THIS IS A pivotal year for emerging Munster winger Calvin Nash and having watched many of his Limerick contemporaries achieve All-Ireland hurling glory, he’s determined to make his own mark this season.

He was only 19 when he made his debut against Edinburgh back in February 2017 and having turned 21 earlier this month, the Young Munster clubman knows this is going to be a key season for him.

“Personally as a self-goal, I would have nominated this year to be kind of my breakthrough year.

“And if not, to get a good few bench games in Europe. I need to kick on and I would be confident of doing so this year,” said the former Crescent College star.

He hasn’t been helped by injuries but the full-time work in the Munster set-up has strengthened him.

Last season he added to his sole appearance with five starts and two off the bench, scoring tries away to Zebre in Parma and against the Southern Kings in CJ Stander’s hometown George.

His displays also saw him bumped up for inclusion in the Champions Cup squad last December and now he gets an opportunity to hit the ground running when the Cheetahs come to Thomond Park on Saturday.

But he knows that the Bloemfontein-based side will be formidable in their second season in the Pro14. 

Calvin Nash Nash speaking in UL this week. Oisin Keniry / INPHO Oisin Keniry / INPHO / INPHO

“I think everyone underestimated them last year. They’re a great South African side who run with the ball. They’re going to try and get their away game going better because that’s what let them down last season.

“I think they were almost unbeaten at home until we got them in a very tight match. I didn’t play in that game, I played against the Kings, but, yeah, I was out there and it was a great experience.

“I thought the Cheetahs were a really good side and now they’ll have an understanding as to what we are about and what the competition is about.

“It was a great achievement to reach the play-offs and that will mean they are a team that’s going to be up there,” added Nash.

Having dabbled in hurling along with other sports growing up, Nash took great pleasure in watching Limerick end their Liam MacCarthy famine and he hopes it can inspire them.

“Fair play to the lads, it was a great achievement and hopefully it will help us to get a trophy back here.”

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