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.
Remains of #AnthonyFoley received at St Flannan’s church @TodayFMNews pic.twitter.com/iTCbzMMCV5
— Juliette Gash (@JulietteGash) October 21, 2016
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.
The Munster squad were there, along with friends and rivals from the other three provinces – such as former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll.
Those who could not attend passed on their condolences in other ways.
Lovely tribute to #AnthonyFoley here at #OneZeroCon. Thinking of everyone in Munster today. pic.twitter.com/C3DwshxGnm
— Jess Stafford (@jess_stafford_) October 21, 2016
