Foley Temporarily Ireland Forwards Coach

CatFromHue

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney confirmed at the scheduled Ireland press conference today that forwards Coach Gert Smal has been unwell during this week and will not be present at the RBS 6 Nations game between Ireland and Italy this weekend at the Aviva Stadium.

Gert Smal had an existing condition affecting his eye sight which has been exacerbated over the last week and for which he is currently receiving treatment.
The medical advice has been that he rest and he will not be involved for the remainder of the 2012 RBS 6 Nations..

The Ireland management have confirmed that O2 Ireland Wolfhounds and Munster forwards coach Anthony Foley has been appointed in Smal's place to assist preparations for the last three weeks of the Championship.

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney said: "Our hope is that Gert will make a quick recovery and that he will be back working with the squad as soon as possible.

"The medical advice given to us is that he needs rest and that he would not be with us for the rest of the Championship.

"We felt that Anthony (Foley), as Munster and Ireland Wolfhounds forwards coach, was the best person to help us out in Gert's absence and we are delighted that both Munster and Anthony have agreed to our request."

Foley will complete his duties with Munster for their RaboDirect Pro12 game against the Cardiff Blues this evening and then join up with the Ireland squad ahead of tomorrow's clash with Italy.

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/25708.php

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I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere on here yet.

I suppose because Foley is in the mix with A team it's the logical choice but suddenly the Irish management is looking pretty inexperienced!

irishbucsfan

This has been mentioned in three threads now!

CatFromHue

irishbucsfan wrote: »

This has been mentioned in three threads now!

Ha I looked through them all when I got home but didn't see it mentioned anywhere!

Off to Specsavers so!

totallegend

The more I think about this, the worse the idea seems to me.

Foley is apparently rated very highly by players who have been coached by him, fair enough, I'm sure he's capable of doing the job.

BUT
1) McGahan is leaving Munster at the end of the season, Foley is being tipped as a possible successor which may or may not happen but surely for the sake of continuity, it would be in Munster's best interests to keep him around?

2) Kidney took a bit of stick for not replacing Gaffney with a fresh voice from outside the camp. While Foley has not been involved with Ireland, he is certainly well-known to Kidney and indeed a lot of the older players, so is he the man to provide the fresh voice and new ideas?

3) Does Foley really have the credentials for this? I know it's only a short term arrangment and we don't know who else was considered but wouldn't Jeremy Davidson have been a more qualified candidate?

irishbucsfan

totallegend wrote: »

The more I think about this, the worse the idea seems to me.

Foley is apparently rated very highly by players who have been coached by him, fair enough, I'm sure he's capable of doing the job.

BUT
1) McGahan is leaving Munster at the end of the season, Foley is being tipped as a possible successor which may or may not happen but surely for the sake of continuity, it would be in Munster's best interests to keep him around?

2) Kidney took a bit of stick for not replacing Gaffney with a fresh voice from outside the camp. While Foley has not been involved with Ireland, he is certainly well-known to Kidney and indeed a lot of the older players, so is he the man to provide the fresh voice and new ideas?

3) Does Foley really have the credentials for this? I know it's only a short term arrangment and we don't know who else was considered but wouldn't Jeremy Davidson have been a more qualified candidate?

Jeremy Davidson wasn't an option, no way he could do the job, logistically impossible.

It's just a short term replacement. No point bringing in a fresh voice or fresh ideas for a couple of weeks and then just revert back. Foley will be great.

Cpt_Blackbeard

Foley is the wolfhounds forwards coach; he was the obvious candidate to fill in for Gert. Being Irish and a future Munster and possibly Irish coach only strengthens his claim. His experience working with Kidney should be beneficial too.

Fishooks12

If our forwards are in anyway abject today I guarantee we'll have some clown on blaming Foley!

phog

The cream always rises to the top

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Benny Cake

Fishooks12 wrote: »

If our forwards are in anyway abject today I guarantee we'll have some clown on blaming Foley!

According to the Indo this morning, Paulie has been forward coach for the past week... He's my tip to get the blame

CIARAN_BOYLE

Benny Cake wrote: »

According to the Indo this morning, Paulie has been forward coach for the past week... He's my tip to get the blame

I heard that as well, POC forwards coach and Ross scrum coach during the week

irishbucsfan

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

I heard that as well, POC forwards coach and Ross scrum coach during the week

Where's Greg Feek?

CIARAN_BOYLE

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Where's Greg Feek?

He is the Leinster scrum coach but only a consultant with the Irish set up which means he isn't with the camp full time, I suppose the person that mentioned Ross coaching the scrum to me was there when feek wasn't

Fishooks12

Benny Cake wrote: »

According to the Indo this morning, Paulie has been forward coach for the past week... He's my tip to get the blame

I don't know about ye but if Ireland get dominated in the pack I'll be blaming Earls