Anthony Foley contract talks ongoing
The rumour machine, however, was quickly silenced when Foley quickly put the record straight on the matter of his contract negotiations: ”That is in the hands of others.
"I’d say a decision will be made in a week or two. I’m not sure.”
Foley and his coaching team put a squad missing Mark Chisholm (undergoing return to play concussion protocols) and Dave Kilcoyne and Andrew Conway (called up yesterday to the Irish squad) through their paces in glorious sunshine in Limerick ahead of Friday night’s match in hand away Cardiff Blues in the Guinness Pro 12.
Foley described the fixture as “like every game we play from here on in. We’re in cup final mode.”
Foley also praised a number of his charges for their displays in the Six Nations at the weekend.
“Donnacha Ryan gave a massive physical display against Italy. That shows where he is at the moment. He’s had a nasty run of injuries over a period and they seem to be behind him, touch wood, and hopefully he can build on that.”
Simon Zebo was just pipped for man of the match by Ryan, a point not lost on Foley: “He was electric wasn’t he? I think it’s important that players would like to play with him because he puts you into space.
"He’s a handful and everybody has to look after their jobs around him and that creates space for others.”
Of yesterday’s two call-ups by Joe Schmidt, Foley commented: “Dave Kilcoyne is doing a great job for us.
"He’s done well to get over the line for his tries and he’s doing a lot of good work around scrums, lineouts, defence and attack and he’s probably got selected for that rather than his poaching ability.”
On Conway: “He has had a very good season. He stepped in when Felix Jones had to retire at 15 and he’s very comfortable back there. He has excellent control and has turned into a very good leader of the backs.”
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