If Connacht had announced the contract renewals of Bundee Aki and Ultan Dillane nine days ago, nobody would have jumped down their throats and accused them of disrespect.
But the province is made of classier stuff and they chose not to take away from the tributes being paid to the late Anthony Foley after he tragically passed away in Paris.
Munster saw Axel off with a mighty bang and roar https://t.co/mqPIUpiCNt
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 23, 2016
Pen had been put to paper on the deals two weeks ago but it might have appeared a tad crass if, amid all the sharing of the rugby community’s favourite memories of Foley, that a delighted tweet announcing that Connacht had re-signed Aki and Dillane suddenly appeared on social media timelines.
The decision to delay the announcement was not a huge one, nor is it one that Connacht made public in the pursuit of plaudits.
But reporter Linley MacKenzie got wind of the touch of class and it should be applauded as such.
Because in this modern world, it can be so easy for people and clubs to focus exclusively on matters relating to themselves, ignoring that a family is in mourning.
Connacht are not like that.
Connacht are class.
But we knew that already.
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