Munster Squad NewsAnthony Foley will be sidelined for two months after sustaining a shoulder injury in Munster's Heineken European Cup victory over Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on Sunday. The former Ireland number eight, who has played in a staggering 77 of Munster's 78 games in the tournament, damaged the joint in trying to make a tackle and was forced from the pitch to be replaced by Alan Quinlan.
He left the ground with his shoulder in a sling and following a thorough medical evaluation yesterday it was confirmed that while he wouldn't require surgery to the shoulder, he would still be out of action until after Christmas.
A talisman for his team, which he led to European Cup success in Cardiff last year, and a consummate footballer he will miss Munster's next three matches in the competition at least, starting with Saturday's game against Bourgoin at Thomond Park. He will also be absent for the back-to-back games against the Cardiff Blues in December.
His target will probably be to return in time for Munster's fifth pool game against Bourgoin in France in early January. True to the traditions of the Munster squad and the friendship and camaraderie it fosters, Foley's successor as captain Paul O'Connell introduced a little humour into a genuine tribute to the Shannon man.
"Ever since I have become captain, it's like introducing a middle man between myself and Deccie (Kidney). If he asks me something, I go and ask Axel (Anthony Foley) and then I go back and tell Deccie.
"Anthony's underrated in some places but around here everyone appreciates how much of a loss he's going to be."
Coach Declan Kidney was equally effusive.
"His presence will be missed. He's had an immense presence in every squad he's been in and it's a big hole to fill.
"All the (team) leaders are going to have to stand up. The guys in there will now be putting down markers to make sure that Anthony does not walk into the team when he comes back. That's the cruel nature of sport."
Kidney announced a 25-strong squad for the Bourgoin match. Foley's absence means Quinlan should start in the backrow at blindside flanker with Denis Leamy moving to number eight. Former Llanelli and Wales international Chris Wyatt, John O'Sullivan and Australian Tim McGann have been named in the extended squad, along with outhalf Eoghan Hickey.
The expectation is Munster will win at a canter, a view endorsed by Bourgoin's rank form away from home. Leinster twice thumped the French side in the last couple of seasons on the first occasion running up a 92-point total.
Having lost their opening match at home to Cardiff, Bourgoin's interest in the tournament should be rendered academic after the weekend.
Kidney though would never be so presumptuous and he suggested: "We've no divine right to win at Thomond Park. We expect a tough game and Bourgoin are not going to lie down."
He's already pored over the videos pointing out that the French side have a very good scrum and lineout. Bourgoin contain a Munster old boy in scrumhalf Mike Prendergast, who started last weekend, and New Zealander Bryce Williams, who played with Leinster in last season's competition.
MUNSTER (squad): S Payne, J Kelly, B Murphy, L Mafi, T Halstead, I Dowling, R O'Gara, J Manning, E Hickey, P Stringer, T O'Leary, M Horan, J Hayes, F Pucciariello, F Sheahan, A Kyriacou, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell (capt), M O'Driscoll, A Quinlan, C Wyatt, J O'Sullivan, T McGann, D Wallace, D Leamy.
