Munster Rugby to play Glasgow tie a day after funeral of coach Anthony Foley
Munster Rugby will go ahead with their next game this weekend following the sudden death of head coach Anthony Foley.
Munster Rugby will go ahead with their next game this weekend following the sudden death of head coach Anthony Foley.
Director of rugby Rassie Erasmus revealed the decision has been taken to take to the pitch in Thomond Park, Limerick, the day after the Irish rugby great's funeral.
Foley, 42, was found dead in the team hotel on Sunday hours before Munster were to play Racing 92 in Paris in the European Champions Cup.
The province will play Glasgow on Saturday in Limerick.
"We don't want to miss this opportunity for him," Erasmus said. "It's a tough choice. It's not easy either way, but we don't want to miss this opportunity."
A funeral Mass for Foley takes place in St Flannan's Church in his home town of Killaloe, Co Clare, on Friday.
Foley died from a build up of fluid on his lungs as a result of heart disease.
Ireland and Munster back row Peter O'Mahony broke down as he tried to put into words what the late coach meant to him and the club.
He recalled Foley being as happy with the narrow win in his first game as a 60-point victory.
"He was a man that wanted a Munster jersey win," he said.
"I'm not going to do him justice here. It's all the words I can say, to be honest."
Erasmus said: "Although an Irish and Munster rugby hero and a great friend of ours, this time it's about a husband, father, son and brother, and a fallen friend.
"Let us not forget that."
He added that Thomond held a special place in "Axel" Foley's heart.
"As difficult as it will be to play the next game, no matter the time, the opposition or the venue, we have an opportunity to play there this Saturday. That's something that's hugely important to all of us," he said.
Erasmus said playing at Thomond would tie people closer to Foley's memory and let players and fans embrace that.
He said that although the match is going ahead, it will be second to everything else.
"He would never want us to say that the game is secondary, it's just not the man he was, but it will be," he said.
"It's all about Anthony, now, and this weekend, and will be for a long time."
He added: "It's difficult. I know the players had so much respect for him that they are trying to get on with it , trying to do the job the way we think and know Anthony would want us to go on with it.
"That's what drives us and makes us committed to get a proper performance out there."
The Munster rugby boss called on fans to come out and back them on Saturday.
He said Foley was a good friend to him and someone who wore his heart on his sleeve.
"You don't have to think of a lot of nonsense to say about him. You knew exactly where you stood with him," he said.
"He would do anything for his friends."