Munster Rugby's Calvin Nash looking forward to playing against Castres for first time

MUNSTER Rugby's Calvin Nash will be among a number of Munster players that will be taking on the challenge of Castres for the first time this Friday evening in the second round of the Investec Champions Cup.

The two sides have played against each other an incredible 18 times, with the clubs going to battle on every occasion they meet. 

Speaking at the Munster press conference this week winger Nash spoke about possibly playing against Castres for the first time: "It's a right of passage to get to play an away game against Castres at some stage. It's mental to think how many times Munster and Castres have played against each other and they are always a tough battle. We know they will be extremely physical so it will be a huge battle for us."

This Friday's game will be a huge ask for Munster but the squad will be bolstered by the return of props Oli Jager and Dave Kilcoyne. 

The squad will also be buzzing from their opening round victory against Stade Francais in Thomond Park, running in a five-try bonus point victory in front of their home crowd.

Nash was unfortunate not to get a run out with the Irish team during the Autumn Nations Series, with last Saturday's game his first time back playing in over a month. 

The winger spoke about getting back playing saying: "I obviously learnt a lot and worked on my game during my time in camp but it was really exciting to be back playing and getting back to Thomond Park with the lads. I think everyone in Munster is buzzing in the moment and I think with rugby you can't stay still for too long, you have to be moving forward into the next job. The last two results have been good for us and we want to use that momentum for the next few weeks."