TRAGIC TRIBUTES: La Rochelle players and fans honour Hyron Andrews’ memory with compassion and class
French fans and the La Rochelle club did their country proud on an emotional day of Champions Cup matches played in the shadow of tragedy.
French fans and La Rochelle club honored the memory of Lions lock Hyron Andrews with compassion and class during a Champions Cup match. The Lions arrived at Stade Marcel-Deflandre on Saturday for their match against La Rochelle, greeted by local fans applauding them as they walked from the bus into the stadium. Andrews had died the previous day from a suspected heart attack at the team's hotel on the Île de Ré.
Despite the tragic circumstances, the Lions decided to honor the fixture, with coach Ivan "Cash" van Rooyen explaining that they wanted to celebrate Andrews and show respect to his family. The French team displayed an image of Andrews on the giant screen, and during the match, La Rochelle's South African players presented non-playing captain Francke Horn with a replica jersey signed by the French team. The crowd showed their respect by standing for 60 seconds in tribute to Andrews.
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