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Rugby world unites to bid farewell to Anthony Foley

Published 13:11 21 Oct 2016 BST

SportsJOE
Rugby world unites to bid farewell to Anthony Foley

Homerugby

The Munster team to face Glasgow will not be named until 3pm.

Three hours after every other Champions Cup team is named, the two sides set to meet in Thomond Park at lunchtime Saturday will be revealed. Looking back through Munster's long and distinguished European history you would be hard set to find a team announcement that has been less anticipated. Nobody will care about the XV named for Saturday's Pool 1 encounter, even if their legions of fans have never felt closer to the team. On Friday afternoon the Munster squad lined up for a far more difficult fixture, one they could not have foreseen a week ago when they were planning for their Champions Cup opener against Racing Metro in Paris. That game was cancelled after the sudden death of their head coach Anthony Foley at the team hotel on Saturday night. The 42-year-old died from fluid on his lungs due to a heart condition. In his native Killaloe, at noon, his funeral took place. Funeral of Munster Head Coach Anthony Foley, St. Flannan’s Church, Killaloe, Co Clare 21/10/2016 Munster players arrive for the funeral of Munster Rugby head coach Anthony Foley Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne The Munster squad were there, along with friends and rivals from the other three provinces - such as former Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll. Funeral of Munster Head Coach Anthony Foley, St. Flannan’s Church, Killaloe, Co Clare 21/10/2016 Former Ireland and Leinster player Brian O'Driscoll in the crowd as the hearse arrives for the funeral of Munster Rugby head coach Anthony Foley Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne Those who could not attend passed on their condolences in other ways. https://twitter.com/jesstafford1991/status/789429499159076864

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