Rugby Union: Munster extend Stephen Archer, Dave Foley, Felix Jones and Dave Kilcoyne

Munster Rugby have announced Stephen Archer, Dave Foley, Felix Jones and Dave Kilcoyne have signed contract extensions with the province and the IRFU.

Tight-head prop Archer has signed a three-year contract while lock Foley, full-back Jones and loose-head prop Kilcoyne have all signed two-year extensions.

Archer, Foley and Kilcoyne are all products of the Munster Rugby Academy while Jones has been with the province since 2009, and all four players have progressed through to international level.

Securing players of this calibre is always a boost for the club and it shows our commitment to developing home-grown players and talent.

Head coach Anthony Foley is delighted to have the futures of four of his key players secured and believes the extensions reflect well on Munster’s ability to nurture talent.

"This is a great step forward for us,” Foley said. “Securing players of this calibre is always a boost for the club and it shows our commitment to developing home-grown players and talent. 

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“These guys have come through the structures and have reached international level with so much more to come, and it's hugely positive for all involved.”

Cork-born Archer made his debut against Edinburgh in October 2009 as an academy player and has made 79 appearances for the province. 

The 26-year-old made his Ireland debut against Italy during the 2013 Six Nations and has two international caps. 

Fellow academy graduate Foley was also promoted to a full senior contract at the start of the 2011/2012 season and has made 44 Munster appearances. 

After impressing at provincial and Emerging Ireland level the 26-year-old was propelled into the Ireland Guinness Series squad in November and produced a man-of-the-match debut performance against Georgia, and featured off the bench against Australia a week later.

Loose-head prop Kilcoyne moved to a full senior contract at the start of the 2012/13 season and has 62 Munster caps to his name. 

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At national level he has 12 caps after making his debut against South Africa in the 2012 November Series and last month he scored his first international try against Georgia.

Dublin-born Jones has made 72 appearances since he joined Munster in 2009 after completing two years in the Leinster academy.

With nine Ireland caps, Felix made his debut against Scotland in the pre-World Cup games in August 2011 and the 27-year-old most recently scored his first international try against Georgia in the November Series.

All four players will be in action on Saturday when Munster host Clermont Auvergne in the Champions Cup at Thomond Park, in a game live on Sky Sports 2 HD, with coverage from 5:15pm.