RUGBY WORLD MOURNS

RUGBY WORLD MOURNS Munster head coach Anthony Foley dies suddenly aged 42 just hours before European Champions Cup clash – The Sun

TRIBUTES have poured in for Munster head coach Anthony Foley who died in the team hotel at the age of 42. Tearful fans flocked to the Paris rugby ground where his side were due to play to sing the Fields of Athenry in a solemn show of respect for the revered boss. And big names from the world of rugby flooded social media with messages of support after the ex-Ireland skipper’s sudden death. Ireland icon Brian O’Driscoll said: “Can’t quite believe it. So incredibly sad. My thoughts are with Olive, his boys and his extended family.” England legend Brian Moore wrote: “Just heard the terrible news of the death of Munster’s Anthony Foley – thoughts with his family – very sad indeed.” [View Article]

Anthony Foley: Munster coach dies suddenly in Paris – BBC News

Munster head coach Anthony Foley has died suddenly at their team hotel in Paris. Foley, 42, died overnight at the hotel, where the team were staying prior to Sunday’s game against Racing 92. The European Champions Cup game was postponed following the former Ireland international’s death. A statement by the Irish Rugby Football Union said: “The IRFU and Munster Rugby pass on our deepest sympathy to all of Anthony’s family and friends.” It added: “We ask for privacy for the family at this sad time.” Foley is survived by his wife Olive and two children. [View Article]

Munster mourns the sudden passing of Anthony Foley who was the ‘heart and soul of the club’ at Thomond Park – The Daily Mail

This wasn’t in the script. A balmy sunny Sunday afternoon in Paris with the temperature in the 20s. Perfect for rugby. Perfect for Munster for settle the score festering from their last visit to the French capital, a jolting defeat at Stade Francais, the across-city rivals of Racing 92 whom they were now scheduled to play in the opening round of this season’s Champions Cup. Instead of a match to remember for all the right reasons, there was tragically a wake, official word breaking at around 2.42pm local time – just over 90 minutes prior to the scheduled 4.15pm kick-off – that Munster’s Mr Rugby, the legendary Anthony Foley who vibrantly skippered them to their breakthrough 2006 triumph in Cardiff before going on to coach the team, had suddenly passed away at the age of only 42 at a nearby Novotel where the squad had been based after flying in from Cork on Saturday. [View Article]

Anthony Foley dead: Munster Rugby coach dies at team hotel before Champions Cup match against Racing 92 – The Independent

Munster’s European Champions Cup match against Racing 92 has been postponed after the sudden death of the Irish club’s head coach Anthony Foley. Former Ireland international Foley passed away during the night at the team’s hotel in Paris at the age of 42 after being found on Sunday morning. A joint statement from Munster and the Irish Rugby Football Union read: “It is with deep regret that the Irish Rugby Football Union and Munster Rugby must advise of the passing overnight of Munster Rugby head coach Anthony Foley, at the team hotel in Paris. [View Article]