Munster eye fitting tribute to 'special' Foley in Racing reunion
Irish province Munster host French club Racing 92 in the opening round of the Champions Cup on Saturday with the fixture falling almost exactly a decade on from the sudden passing of the home side's former No.8 and coach Anthony Foley. Foley spent more than two decades with Munster, winning the 2006 and 2008 Champions Cups.
Munster face Racing 92 in the opening round of the 2022-23 Champions Cup on Saturday, marking a decade since the sudden passing of former Munster No. 8 and coach Anthony Foley. Foley, who died on October 16, 2016, at the age of 42 due to a heart rhythm disorder, spent over two decades with Munster, winning the 2006 and 2008 Champions Cups.
He served as forwards coach from 2014 to 2017 before the fixture was postponed following his death. Munster defence coach Denis Leamy stated that the team will do their best to honor Foley's memory on Saturday. Former Racing back-rower Antonie Claassen noted the shock and strange feeling experienced by the other team upon hearing the news.
The players from both sides have met seven times since Foley's passing, including an emotionally charged match in January 2017. Munster's current squad will wear commemorative warm-up jackets and exchange jerseys bearing Foley's number eight with a Racing 92 player during the game. A round of applause in the eighth minute of the match is also planned to pay tribute to the former Irish rugby great.
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