There will forever be a bond and brotherhood between Munster Rugby and Racing 92 after what they have experienced together over the past four months.
On October 16, 2016, the two sides were set to do Champions Cup battle in Paris when the tragic passing of Anthony Foley was discovered.
‘Axel’ has been mourned, honoured and celebrated in the months after his death but it hit both Munster and Racing, who have Ronan O’Gara on their coaching staff, bad. Fans of both sides gathered at Stade Yves du Manoir on that fateful Sunday to sing songs in Foley’s memory. To share in a grief that must have felt insurmountable.
Since then, Racing supporters have offered free accommodation to Munster fans that travelled to the rematch, applauded the Munster team back onto the pitch at the Paris rematch and bade farewell to Foley.
Ahead of this evening’s return tie at Thomond Park, both sides ran onto the pitch together – rather than one after the other – as a sign of respect.
Lovely gesture from Maxime Machenaud and @racing92 to bring flowers out onto the pitch in memory of Anthony Foley before the game pic.twitter.com/1zesZqIKbI
— Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) January 21, 2017
Two Racing players, Maxime Machenaud and Benjamin Dambielle, then respectfully laid a wreath on the half-way line in memory of ‘Axel’.
Pure bloody class and respect from @racing92 as their players lay a wreath in memory of Anthony Foley #brotherhood pic.twitter.com/8I5kQ9JpDT
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) January 21, 2017
The gesture did not go unnoticed by the Munster crowd.
Again yet another great gesture for Anthony Foley and @Munsterrugby from Racing Metro 92 before KO, top class club
— Peter Collins (@PeterCollins__) January 21, 2017
Fair play to the French side.
Gone but never forgotten.
