RUGBY IN MOURNING

MUNSTER’S Champions Cup match against Racing 92 was postponed yesterday after the sudden death overnight of the Irish province’s head coach Anthony Foley.

Fans gathered outside the Stade Yves-du-Manoir, where the game was due to be played, to pay tribute to Foley 42, who was found dead yesterday morning at the team hotel in Paris. They sang Munster anthem The Fields of Athenry in honour of the former Ireland No8, right.

The tragedy left the rugby world in shock. “He was part of the fabric of Irish rugby,” said former Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan. “It is hard to get your head around what has

happened. It’s a huge loss to Munster, a massive loss to rugby and my heart goes out to his family.”

Foley, who was married with three children, was a Munster icon, playing 201 games for the province and led them to their first European Cup triumph in 2006. Munster are due to face Glasgow on Saturday at what is sure to be an emotional Thomond Park.

“Such sad news,” tweeted former England captain Martin Corry. “Fierce and uncompromising but after would always find you for a beer. Proper rugby bloke.”