Foley says Munster tyros must muscle way into Irish reckoning

Anthony Foley has challenged his Munster players to leapfrog their Leinster rivals into Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad by winning trophies for their province.

The new head coach, who succeeded New Zealander Rob Penney during the summer, wants his playing personnel to redress the current Leinster dominance in the national set-up by producing the sort of form for Munster that will make them difficult for Six Nations-winning head coach Schmidt to overlook.

“I don’t ever think I’ve been involved in a Munster team in transition,” said former Munster player, captain and forwards coach Foley.