There will never be another number 8 like Anthony Foley and, fittingly, there will be no number 8 in the Munster ranks on Saturday afternoon.
Ahead of Munster’s Champions Cup clash with Glasgow Warriors this weekend, the province revealed that the jersey that Foley made his own would be retired for the game, Munster’s first since his unexpected passing.
Foley passed away suddenly in a Parisian hotel last weekend from acute pulmonary oedema caused by a heart condition and the rugby world has been in mourning ever since.
On Thursday, Munster announced the tributes that would be paid to their iconic former captain and head coach prior to kick-off at Thomond Park; which will include a commemorative match programme, a choir and a guard of honour from players from Shannon RFC, Foley’s club, and students from St Munchin’s, his former school.
Rightly pulling out all the stops for a Munster legend https://t.co/fRJhJDD3r0
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 21, 2016
And it has since been revealed that CJ Stander will wear the number 24, rather than the number 8, for Saturday’s emotional game as the latter will be stood down for the eighty minutes.
Kick-off is scheduled for 1pm on Saturday but supporters whose seats are located in the West Stand of Thomond Park are requested to take their seats no later than 12.50pm as a special pre-match tribute is planned for Foley.
Munster are pulling out all the stops for one of the greatest men ever to pull on the famous red jersey.
And it’s only right.
In the latest GAA Hour, we talk to Ken McGrath of Waterford and with Declan Brennan about a new club players’ association.
