RUGBY:MUNSTER ANNOUNCED yesterday former captain Anthony Foley will succeed Laurie Fisher as forwards coach at the end of this season. The 37-year-old, defence coach to the senior side as well as head coach to both Munster As and under-20s, will step into Fisher's role as of July 1st.
“Laurie’s experience has been hugely beneficial to Munster’s squad and management,” said Munster chief executive office Gareth Fitzgerald. “It’s now time for Anthony Foley to take on this responsibility and to impart his experience and great knowledge to the Munster players.”
Team manager Shaun Payne echoed Fitzgerald’s comments, remarking: “Laurie has finished his coaching stint and for us to be able to have Axel come through is a great step for us, a real positive. He obviously has the respect of the players. He’s a local boy who understands the culture very well, and I couldn’t think of a better person to step up to the role.”
When Foley retired in 2008, he did so as the most capped player in the Heineken Cup and as Munster’s most capped player of all time. As well as his other roles, he was also technical adviser to the senior team, whilst fulfilling a more hands-on role this season as defence coach.
“It has been a busy three years for me,” he said yesterday. “In a year I have worked with three sides. And so to be solely focused on one side and one aspect is something I am really looking forward to.”
Foley was keen to acknowledge the pathway laid for him by others, and in particular his father Brendan, who lined out at lock for Munster when they beat the All Blacks in 1978. “My father brought rugby into the house and we lived and bred it all through our lives, through Shannon, through St Munchin’s, the Munster under-age, Ireland under-age and through the academies. I’ve had great people working with me and I’ve always been willing to learn.”
