Friday night's sensational victory for Ireland in Marseille over France was all the more enjoyable for the crucial roles played by newcomers Joe McCarthy, Jack Crowley, and Calvin Nash.
McCarthy in particular has earned serious praise for his performance in the Stade Vélodrome, as he brought a revolutionary presence to the Irish second-row on his first Six Nations appearance.
Crowley looked similarly assured in taking over the mantle of Johnny Sexton at fly-half, while Nash was on the scoresheet as Ireland's third try scorer.
Ireland legend Shane Horgan spoke to Balls.ie on Thursday to launch Virgin Media's mega weekend of televised sport, and picked apart Nash's performance on the wing on Friday night.
Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Comparing Nash's Six Nations bow with his own, Horgan urged Irish fans to be patient as the Munsterman grows used to his new place in the squad.
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Shane Horgan thinks Calvin Nash will need time to settle into Ireland role
Asked whether Calvin Nash had already proven himself as the right man to fill Mack Hansen's boots during the Connacht wing's injury lay-off, Horgan said that it was too soon to fairly judge the 26-year-old.
Horgan, one of Ireland's most prolific try scorers of all time, said that Nash had proven the level he is capable of reaching with his performances for Munster this season - but said that it would take time for that to translate to his exploits in a green jersey.
He said that it would be "unfair" to judge Nash's potential in an Ireland shirt based on one game alone:
It’s kind of unfair one way or the other. I’m thinking about Crowley as well, conversations that we’ve had about the lineout…they can’t be based on one performance or two performances. I think you have to deliver a level of performance to keep your place but, generally, you need a slightly longer dataset to assess how somebody is going to perform with Ireland.
It’s different performing for Ireland as it is to Munster. I’ve analysed him quite a lot over the last period with Munster and he’s been really good. It’s not controversial that he was picked when Hansen was injured, he’s rightly there.
He had, I would say, a solid game at the weekend but not that much more than that. That’s fine, as well. It’s a first game, away to France - solid is good, you can build on it!
Even in my own career, it’s very difficult dealing with the emotions of a first cap and what you need to do to stay in the team is very often the first thing that’s in your mind. You don’t want to make mistakes but you want to give enough and contribute enough to make sure that you’re picked again.
Nash will likely play a part once more this weekend, as Ireland look to continue their push for a second consecutive victory of the Six Nations against Italy in Dublin on Sunday.
2 February 2024; Calvin Nash of Ireland after the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between France and Ireland at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, France. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Shane Horgan told us that, with a full Six Nations game now under his belt, Calvin Nash should have a better understanding of what is required of him at test level, and urged him to push himself in the upcoming test against the Italians.
He said that Nash could learn from the work rate of the man he has replaced at 14 in picking and choosing the right moments to become involved in play:
I think he will be better for those 80 minutes and, if he’s picked against Italy, it’s actually the perfect second game for him.
I’m sure he will be thinking himself, and his coaches will be telling him, get slightly more involved. Be speaking more to your 10, be speaking more to your 12 and 9.
Irish wings are best when they’re working hard, that’s why we love Mack Hansen. He doesn’t work just for the sake of it, he comes in at really opportune times and delivers for the team. That’s the kind of mould now, James Lowe in a similar fashion, with a different maybe skillset or way of doing it, but that’s what he does.
I would say Calvin’s involvement will increase this week. I’m sure he will be picked. In terms of whether there’s any concerns over him being able to deliver for Ireland, I would be very relaxed that he’s able to do that.
Kick-off at the Aviva Stadium between Ireland and Italy is at 15:00 on Sunday afternoon, with the game live on Virgin Media Two.
Shane Horgan was speaking ahead of Virgin Media Television’s Super Sunday of Sport. This Sunday, VMTV will have live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Six Nations and Super Bowl LVIII.
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