Foley Remains As Munster Captain

Long-standing back row Anthony Foley has been nominated by his fellow players to remain as Munster captain for the coming season.

Anthony Foley

Long-standing back row Anthony Foley has been nominated by his fellow players to remain as Munster captain for the coming season.

The 31-year-old skippered Munster to he Celtic Cup title, the Heineken Cup quarter-finals, and second-place in the Celtic League last season, in what was Australian Alan Gaffney’s final campaign in charge of the province.

Ireland number 8 Foley, capped a record 141 times by his province, was yesterday named in a 24-man squad for returning Munster coach Declan Kidney’s first competitive fixture of the 2005/06 season – Friday night’s Celtic League opener against the Border Reivers at Thomond Park (kick-off 7.10pm).

Kidney has included Peter Stringer, Marcus Horan, Frank Sheahan, Denis Leamy, David Wallace, Trevor Hogan and Alan Quinlan – who all travelled to Japan with Ireland for two Tests in June – in a squad which also boasts new signings Trevor Halstead, Mick O’Driscoll, Federico Pucciarriello and John O’Sullivan.

With John Kelly (cut over eye) and Shaun Payne (strained neck) recovering from recent injuries, Kidney will delay his team announcement until tomorrow or Friday, at the latest.

MUNSTER Squad: Shaun Payne, Jeremy Manning, John Kelly, Rob Henderson, Mossy Lawlor, Trevor Halstead, Barry Murphy, Paul Burke, Frank Murphy, Peter Stringer, Donnacha Ryan, Anthony Foley (Capt), David Wallace, Denis Leamy, Federico Pucciariello, Jerry Flannery, Marcus Horan, Alan Quinlan, Frank Roche, Frank Sheahan, John O’Sullivan, Mick O’Driscoll, Stephen Keogh, Trevor Hogan.