MUNSTER and Ireland legend of the backrow, Anthony Foley, together with the formidable coaching success of former grand slam winning under-20’s coach and Connacht stalwart, Eric Elwood, will combine to make up the new coaching team for the O2 Ireland Wolfhounds. The two will join to take the reins of the side for the forthcoming games against Scotland A and England Saxons early next year.
Elwood, who is the coach of Ireland provincial side Connacht, was capped 35 times and scored 296 points in international rugby for Ireland and has been announced as the head coach to the Wolfhounds.
He will link up with current Munster defence coach and former international No.8 Anthony Foley, who won 62 caps for his country and will take responsibility for the forwards on the Wolfhounds team. The remaining senior member of the Wolfhounds management team is Manager Joey Miles who was worked with the Wolfhounds side for the last five years as well as with the Ireland senior team on the tours to Japan in 2005 and New Zealand/Australia in 2008.
Anthony Foley said, “Both myself and Eric are young coaches, so I think it is an exciting chance for both of us to pass over some knowledge to the players we work with but also learn from them. The Wolfhounds is always seen as a stepping stone for players as the recent history of the side has shown, but from my own development as a coach it’s a chance to broaden my experience across other parts of preparing a team and I am looking forward to it.”
The Wolfhounds coaching team will work closely with the Ireland national management in terms of preparing the Wolfhounds for their upcoming games.
Commenting on his appointment, Eric Elwood said, “I am delighted to take up this role and to be getting the opportunity to work with such a wide group of players at international level again. I know from my time with the Ireland U20 team that there is nothing more satisfying then bringing players together and to help prepare them to represent their country. It will be great to work with my old team mate Axel (Anthony Foley) as both of us have progressed onto the other side of the game as coaches.
“The exposure of Ireland players to top class opposition at international level is important for not only the development of the players themselves, but also to have them prepared and primed to step into the senior team, particularly from the timing of our matches in terms of the RBS Six Nations Championship. I will be working with Declan (Kidney) in terms of getting the best out of the players and impressing on them that the Wolfhounds team will be another opportunity to press their claims for a place in the Ireland team.”
O2 Ireland Wolfhound Fixtures: Friday 28th January, 2011 Scotland A v O2 Ireland Wolfhounds Netherdale (Galashiels) K.O. TBC Friday 4th February, 2011 O2 Ireland Wolfhounds v England Saxons Ravenhill K.O. 7.30pm
