Munster ‘plan towards’ cup clash with Glasgow

RUGBY: Warriors await decision from grieving Irish club

Glasgow chiefs were last night still waiting to find out if their Champions Cup tussle with grieving Munster in Ireland will go ahead on Saturday.

The home side – mourning the sudden death of head coach Anthony Foley – revealed they are “planning towards” the match in Limerick.

However, with funeral arrangements still to be finalised, there was no official confirmation from the club.

A spokesman at Thomond Park said: “The squad are working and planning towards Saturday’s home encounter with Glasgow Warriors.

“They are following a modified schedule this week with players and management signing books of con-dolence at Thomond Park, Irish Independent Park and at other locations across the province in memory of their colleague and friend, Anthony.

“The thoughts of the players, management and staff remain with the Foley family and assisting them at this time continues to be the priority.

“At an extremely difficult time, Munster Rugby could not be more grateful for the consideration and compassion shown from the wider community in the past few days and it is most appreciated.”

Glasgow are due to fly to Ireland on Friday, six days after Foley collapsed and died in the team hotel in Paris, hours before their tie against Racing 92, which was postponed.

Warriors, meanwhile, have signed back-row Ruaridh Mackenzie until the end of the season. The deal – made in partnership with BT Premiership side Ayr – will see the 21-year-old pursue his career in the country of his birth, and for whom his father Gregor won a single cap at prop against Australia (1984) alongside Scotland greats Colin Deans and Iain Milne.

Mackenzie and his family left Inverness for New Zealand when he was three months old, where he would attend Christchurch Boys High School, famous for producing the likes of Dan Carter, Brodie Retallick, Sir Graham Henry and Steve Hansen.

He was named vice-captain of the Christchurch Boys 1st XV before joining Bond University in Queensland on a Rugby scholarship before being selected in the Queensland Reds U20s programme aged 18.

Mackenzie made his debut off the bench for Ayr on Saturday and scored a try in the 39-13 win over Glasgow Hawks.