European nights are invariably significant occasions for Munster, but this Saturday will be especially poignant as they remember one of the greats.
Friday marks 10 years since the death of Anthony Foley. With Munster in Paris before facing Racing 92, Foley – head coach at the time – died suddenly in his sleep aged 42 after a heart condition caused fluid to build up in his lungs.
Having captained Munster to the 2006 Heineken Cup during a stellar playing career that also yielded 62 Ireland caps, the outpouring of grief that followed his passing was remarkable.
Foley – affectionately known as ‘Axel’ – has never been far from Munster minds in the decade since, but his immense contributions to the province will be highlighted by a series of tributes during their Investec Champions Cup game on Saturday which, coincidentally, pits them against Racing.
As part of the tribute at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork, the Munster players will wear commemorative presentation jackets featuring the club crest and the number eight, Foley’s position.
Speaking on Tuesday, Munster defence coach Denis Leamy – Foley’s team-mate for the province’s 2006 and 2008 European triumphs – said his former captain’s memory is “to the forefront of everyone’s mind” this week.
“He was iconic really,” said Leamy.
“When I came in as a young player, he was already one of the big leaders within Munster and obviously playing for Ireland as well. He was hugely influential on me around my game, my mindset in terms of how you developed and what you brought in a Munster jersey.
“His belief in a Munster jersey was unbelievable. He didn’t feel that in a Munster jersey we could be beaten. He was uncompromising, he gave belief to everyone around him and he was just a super player, a super team-mate.
“A very, very special person, very special player. It’s tragic that he’s not here anymore, but we’ll try and do our very best on Saturday to do justice to his memory.”