Munster defends Cork venue for Foley 10-year tribute

Munster Rugby has defended its decision to stage Saturday's 10th anniversary tribute to Anthony Foley away from Thomond Park.

The province faces Racing 92 in the opening round of the Investec Champions Cup, Europe's top club competition, at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork at 20:00 BST on Saturday, with tributes planned a decade on from Foley's death, BBC Sport reported.

The choice of venue has drawn criticism. Ronan O'Gara, the former Munster fly-half — the team's chief playmaker — and now Racing 92 head coach, has said the game should be played at Thomond Park in Limerick, Munster's traditional home.

Munster says that was never an option once the fixtures landed. The decision to take European games to Páirc Uí Chaoimh was made in March, before the Champions Cup draw in July. When the draw paired Munster with Racing, operational plans for both home fixtures were already far advanced and a switch was not practicable.

Foley died suddenly in his sleep aged 42 at the team hotel in Paris in October 2016, hours before Munster were due to face Racing 92. He was Munster's head coach at the time.

He remains a central figure in the province's story. Foley captained Munster to European glory in 2006, won 62 Ireland caps and made 201 appearances for Munster.

Munster says the planned commemorations have the support of Foley's family, as set out in its official statement, Munster Rugby. Players will wear special presentation jackets marked with his number eight, the back-row shirt he made his own.

There will be applause in the eighth minute. The ground will hear a rendition of 'There Is An Isle', long sung in his memory, alongside a photo display in Marina Park outside the stadium.

For supporters, the symmetry is painful and powerful. Ten years on, the same fixture returns. It will be played in a different city, but with the same opponent and the same loss at its heart.