From captain to commander for Munster stalwart Foley

Saying ‘yes’ was the easy part, but having fulfilled his ambition to be Munster head coach Anthony Foley will lean on the coaches he faithfully served as he prepares to take charge of his beloved province next season.

Munster’s 2006 Heineken Cup-winning captain and former Ireland No. 8 yesterday completed his transition from player to boss in his home province when he was installed as the next head coach, succeeding the outgoing Rob Penney at the end of this season on a two-year contract with the option of a third year.

The announcement came as current head coach Penney led preparations for Sunday’s RaboDirect Pro12 visit to Ospreys with the assistance of forwards and defence coach Foley. Yet, while it was very much business as usual at the University of Limerick, it was Foley who took centre stage, receiving the congratulations of the players before training and then occupying the hot-seat to face the media to explain his feelings about the appointment.