The 28-year-old may still be called upon by Joe Schmidt should any injuries occur, but Foley believes Ireland's loss is very much Munster's gain as they look to make a fast start during the World Cup.
"Felix was great, he is a character," he said. "We all know he's hurting, but you don't see that in his performance, nor in his work rate during the week, nor when is talking to others.
"He wasn't moping around the place, he's a man about a job at the moment and he has done a very good job. You never know what might happen, but Felix is a very good guy and on top of that he is a very good rugby player and we're fortunate to have him."
It may not have been Munster's prettiest GUINNESS PRO12 performance but it is a huge improvement on last season's opening weekend - having lost to Edinburgh at Thomond Park.
Foley added: "To get through with a win is great, obviously we're ahead of where we were this time last year.
"There were some things that will irk, we were inaccurate out there and that's something that you could, maybe expect in week one in that not everything is going to be dotted and crossed.
"It's about looking at that but everything we will be looking at is the positive stuff.
"It will be about executing in the green zone, not turning over the ball when we have teams under pressure. It will be about our discipline towards the end of the game.It will be about our set piece and making sure we can solidify that."
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