Munster head coach Anthony Foley says Ireland counterpart Joe Schmidt does not impose any selection calls for provincial coaches, emphasising that they have a "good working relationship".
Foley has agreed a new one-year contract with Munster and the IRFU which was announced today and he joined Off The Ball to talk about that and more.
"We have a conversation with Joe nearly once or twice a week around different stuff, how players are going and all that. It's an open channel for me," he said.
"In terms of being told who to select and what position, that never happens."
Foley also spoke about the role incoming Ireland defence coach Andy Farrell, who has been serving in a consultancy role for Munster and appreciates the different perspective he provides.
"In terms of what he does, he talks to the players, he talks to the coaches. He's another avenue for people to get points across to. It's been great. It's been very much a very positive feel around Andy in Munster," he said.
As for the development of this Munster crop, Foley says he and his coaches "see a lot of positives at the moment".
"We saw a lot of development from within," he said, but acknowledged that losing some of the experienced stars of the past can have a hit.
"We can compete with anyone but it's about getting it all right in the one day and unfortunately at times that has happened," he said.
He also admitted that the setbacks from the season so far "does hurt" the players and management.
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