Player of Year trophy renamed to honour Foley
OWEN FARRELL was last night named EPCR European Player of the Year. The Saracens out-half topped a shortlist of five that also included team-mate Maro Itoje, Camille Lopez (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Garry Ringrose (Leinster) and CJ Stander (Munster).
As a tribute to the late Munster and Ireland legend, Farrell received the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy.
With the agreement of the Foley family and Munster Rugby, EPCR commissioned a special trophy to honour his major contribution to European rugby both as a player and as a coach.
Farrell, selected by a combination of public vote and a panel of rugby experts, received the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy in addition to a medal and one million air miles from Turkish Airlines.
‘This is a fitting way to honour Anthony’s memory. He was a great player and a great leader as well as a galvanising force in Munster’s European odyssey,’ said EPCR chairman, Simon Halliday. ‘I would like to thank the Foley family and Munster Rugby for allowing us create this trophy for now and the future.’
Foley was synonymous with Munster’s compelling journey to European glory. He made 86 European Cup appearances for the province, played in three finals and captained the side to their first final victory in 2006. To this day, he remains the province’s top try scorer in Europe with 23.
He also played 62 times for Ireland, captaining his country on three occasions, before moving into coaching. He died in Paris last October aged 42, just hours before Munster were due to play a Champions Cup match against Racing 92.