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Munster are set to hand Anthony Foley a one-year contract extension

The former number eight looks likely to be head coach of the province again next season.

ANTHONY FOLEY IS set to sign a one-year extension to his contract as Munster head coach.

Anthony Foley 'Axel' is Munster born and bred. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

The former number eight originally took over in 2014 on a two-year deal with an option for a third. It now looks like Munster are set to hand Foley that third year in charge of his home province.

Sources close to Munster have confirmed to The42 that Foley and the province’s CEO Garrett Fitzgerald have made a verbal agreement on the new deal, following reports to the same effect in the Irish Times and Irish Independent last night.

Foley helped Munster to two Heineken Cups during his playing career, as well as earning 62 Ireland caps in the back row. He moved into coaching immediately after retirement, initially working as a technical advisor and with Munster’s ‘A’ team.

In 2011, he coached the Ireland Wolfhounds, before graduating into the position of forwards coach with Munster for the beginning of the 2011/12 season. Foley had a brief stint as Ireland’s forwards coach during the 2012 Six Nations when Gert Smal fell ill.

Foley finally earned his dream position in 2014, when he replaced Rob Penney as Munster’s head coach, having assisted the Kiwi in guiding the province to successive Heineken Cup semi-finals.

Anthony Foley Foley and Munster are under pressure to win this weekend. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Foley’s Munster reached the Guinness Pro12 final last season, where they were well beaten by Glasgow Warriors. The southern province failed to get out of their Champions Cup pool stage in 2014/15.

Munster supporters have expressed dissatisfaction with Munster’s form in the current campaign, particularly after three consecutive defeats to Connacht, the Dragons and Leicester.

However, the province’s key decision makers are now set to hand Foley a third season in charge as they retain faith in their homegrown coach.

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