Anthony Foley has been called into the Irish set-up to replace forwards coach Gert Smal and it mightn’t be his only promotion between now and the end of the season.
Smal has had to withdraw from the international scene in order to receive treatment on an eye injury and Foley, who acts as forwards coach with Munster, will step into the role for the remainder of the Six Nations campaign.
Foley will link up with the squad following Munster’s encounter with Cardiff Blues at Thomond Park tonight, giving him precious little time to prepare ahead of the 1.30pm kick-off at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow.
Foley is extremely well regarded at Munster and this might not be the only promotion for the 38-year old this season.
With Tony McGahan set to depart for Australia at the end of the season, Foley has been touted as the next Munster coach in waiting, even though former All-Black John Kirwan and bizarre-cliché-spouting former Irish coach Eddie O’Sullivan have also thrown their hat in the ring as potential candidates.
The man known as ‘Axel’ woud certainly be a popular choice and we wish him all the best. We can only hope he turns up for the interview looking a little more scrubbed up than in the unflattering photo above.
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