Munster defend Cork venue for Anthony Foley tenth anniversary match against Racing 92

The venue decision

Munster will host Racing 92 in the opening round of the Investec Champions Cup on Saturday, 17 October, at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork rather than Thomond Park in Limerick, where the province plays most of its matches. The date marks ten years since Anthony Foley, Munster's head coach and a former player, died suddenly in his sleep, aged 42, at the team hotel before the province's European game with Racing 92 in Paris. In a statement issued on 16 October, Munster said the Cork venue was chosen in March, before the Champions Cup draw in July, and that neither Racing 92 nor the anniversary weekend could have been anticipated at that stage. By the time the fixtures were released, arrangements for both European matches were far advanced, so the province judged a change of venue not practicable. Munster said it understood the disappointment of some supporters.

Criticism from supporters and pundits

Ronan O'Gara, the Racing 92 head coach and a former Munster fly-half, has said the game should be played at Thomond Park. In his Irish Examiner column he called the scheduling another case of Munster Rugby not helping itself. RTÉ rugby analyst Donal Lenihan agreed on Morning Ireland that the match should be in Limerick, though he did not blame the province's leadership for the call. Lenihan said Munster had two home fixtures in the pool, against Racing 92 at the start of the campaign and Gloucester in January, and that they could not host Gloucester again after playing them at Pairc Ui Chaoimh last year. Lenihan put his own position plainly.

“I understand fully the game should be in Limerick.”

Tributes planned at Pairc Ui Chaoimh

Players will wear commemorative presentation jackets featuring Foley's number eight, and the game will pause for applause in the eighth minute. A rendition of 'There Is An Isle', the anthem of Foley's club Shannon RFC, will be performed, and a photo display will be set up in Marina Park outside the stadium. Munster said the tributes were planned with the support of Foley's family and that it respects supporters who feel the game should have been held at Thomond Park. In the same statement, the province set out its priority for the day.

“our focus turned to ensuring that Anthony would be commemorated appropriately and respectfully”

Foley's career and death

Foley, affectionately known as 'Axel', had strong ties to Limerick through Munster and Shannon RFC. Before becoming head coach he captained Munster to European glory in 2006, and he won 62 Ireland caps and the Triple Crown in 2004. A second Champions Cup for Munster came in 2008. Lenihan said he was in Paris on the morning of 16 October 2016 when he was told that Foley had died, and he recalled his reaction.

“I was absolutely shocked, couldn't believe it.”

Lenihan said Foley had been head coach for more than two years at the time and was someone who epitomised Munster.

What comes next

Lenihan said the emotion around the anniversary should give Munster added motivation, while Racing 92's faltering Top 14 start leaves uncertainty about the side they will select. The match kicks off at 20:00 BST on Saturday, 17 October. The timeline below sets out the key dates from Foley's career and the anniversary fixture.