Sydney - Perth-based Super Rugby franchise the Force have extended head coach Michael Foley's contract by two years to the end of the 2017 season.
Foley took charge of the Force in 2012 after the departures of coach Richard Graham and captain David Pocock. The Force finished 13th of 15 teams in Foley's first season, but went within a win of reaching the playoffs last season, the best in their history.
Meanwhile, Force captain Matt Hodgson will miss the first two months of the season with a torn hamstring. Wallabies Nick Cummins will rejoin the team for the season's early round after negotiating a loan deal with his Japanese club.
The Force meet defending champions the New South Wales Waratahs in the first round of the season in Sydney on Sunday.