Munster have revealed how they will pay tribute to Anthony Foley on Saturday.
Head coach and former captain Foley passed away suddenly in a Parisian hotel last weekend from acute pulmonary oedema caused by a heart condition.
The scheduled Champions Cup game with Racing 92 was postponed in the wake of the tragic news but Munster will take to the field for the first time since losing a legend when they meet Glasgow Warriors on Saturday.
In a statement released on Thursday morning Munster announced that, ahead of the game, Books of Condolence will be open from 11am for all supporters in the Fan Zone under the East Stand and in the MRSC bar.
A commemorative match programme, the proceeds of which will go to a charity selected by Foley’s family, will be on sale at the ground and will document the legendary number 8’s most memorable moments in rugby.
Supporters whose seats are located in the West Stand are asked by the province to take their seats before 12.50pm so that they can prepare for a scheduled tribute to Foley while a minutes silence is observed throughout the stadium prior to kick-off.
Before the game, the Munster Rugby Supporter’s Club Choir will perform ‘There Is An Isle’ before soprano Sinead O’Brien joins the Choir to sing ‘Stand Up And Fight’.
To mark Foley’s lifelong association with Shannon RFC, the club’s players will join students from Foley’s former school St Munchin’s for a guard of honour which will welcome both Munster and Glasgow on to the Thomond Park surface.
Half-time will see the girls rugby team from Anthony’s native Ballina/Killaloe take to the pitch in a mini-rugby exhibition alongside Bruff, Waterpark and Tralee/Listowel.
Saturday afternoon at Thomond Park promises to be a very emotional affair and one that will rightly see the life of one of rugby’s great guys recognised properly.
