Munster beat Racing 92 in emotional Champions Cup opener
Munster opened their Investec Champions Cup season with a 33-25 win over Racing 92 at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork on 17 October. The victory gave the Irish province five points from Round 1 of European club rugby's top competition BBC Sport.
Munster led 14-6 at half-time and held on through a loose second half. Their five tries, each worth five points for grounding the ball over the line, came from Brian Gleeson, Shay McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Fineen Wycherley and Craig Casey.
Racing stayed in touch throughout. Wilfried Hulleu, Maxime Machenaud and Joey Manu all crossed for the French side, keeping the gap close enough to force a tense finish in Cork.
The fixture carried extra weight. It came a decade and a day after the death of Munster legend Anthony Foley, the first Munster captain to lift the Heineken Cup, the forerunner of the Champions Cup. Foley died in his sleep on 16 October 2016, on the eve of a Champions Cup match away to Racing 92.
Munster had planned special tributes for the 10th anniversary at this meeting with Racing Munster Rugby. Neither side selected a player in Foley's number eight jersey, the back-row shirt he made his own. Members of his family were present for a minute's applause in the eighth minute.
The Shannon RFC choir sang 'There is an Isle' before kick-off. The song has long been linked with Munster on European nights, and it set a quiet tone before a fast game.
On the pitch, Munster needed a late score to settle it. Casey darted over two minutes from time to seal the win. Racing's Arthur Roche was shown a yellow card late on, which meant ten minutes off the field and left the visitors short-handed for the closing exchanges.
What makes this stand out is the pairing of occasion and outcome. Munster honoured a captain who defined an era, then produced just enough power and pace to start a new European campaign with a win.
