Munster honour Foley with a magical show
MUNSTER penned another one of those magical away-day European tales last night — in stark contrast to the tragedy that had befallen them on their previous trip to France three months ago.
Winning — and winning well — was their mission to honour the memory of head coach, Anthony Foley, who passed away overnight on October 16 when they had travelled to Paris for this original fixture.
All week the talk in Irish rugby circles had again been of the man called Axel and what had tragically happened him.
Here, there was a pre-game minute’s applause with a solitary red flare poignantly lit to recall his death. Then it was down to business in the old-school manner beloved of Foley.
Munster’s forwards, led by the indestructible CJ Stander, poured everything into laying the unbreakable foundation that secured the three-try, 25-point interval advantage they were never to lose, the bonus score arriving just 15 minutes after the break.
Four tries in 55 minutes — from Simon Zebo, Stander, Andrew Conway and Niall Scannell — had director of rugby Rassie Erasmus expressing relief that this return trip was at last over with and life can somehow return to a degree of normality.
‘I’m relieved, not just for the scoreboard and for the win. I’m relieved this game is over because it was a tough week. It has also been dragging since Anthony passed away,’ he said.
The win over the misfiring Top 14 champions puts Munster three points clear of Glasgow ahead of next Saturday’s trip to Scotland.
‘It was a nervous week. I wasn’t quite sure how we would handle it. To get the win and then the fourth try was special.
‘I would never say we can go on because we will always think of Anthony. We will always miss him, but it feels like we are back to normal now — if I can put it that way with all the respect in the world.’
Racing did get a consolation, Matthieu Voisin beating Conway to the line when ball was kicked through, but that was the only blemish on a fine evening’s work for the Irish side.