Foley died in the Paris hotel where Munster were staying prior to Sunday's scheduled game against Racing 92

Munster head coach Anthony Foley has died suddenly at their team hotel in Paris.

Foley, 42, died overnight at the hotel, where the team were staying prior to Sunday's game against Racing 92.

The European Champions Cup game was postponed following the former Ireland international's death.

A statement by the Irish Rugby Football Union said: "The IRFU and Munster Rugby pass on our deepest sympathy to all of Anthony's family and friends."

It added: "We ask for privacy for the family at this sad time."

Foley is survived by his wife Olive and two children.

Anthony Foley captained Munster when they won the European Cup in 2006

A decorated playing career

Foley, whose father Brendan also played for Ireland, made 201 appearances in the back row for Munster in a playing career that spanned 13 years.

He made his debut in 1995 against Swansea in the province's first match in the Heineken Cup - a competition in which he would later captain his side to victory in 2006, having twice finished as a runner-up (in 2000 and 2002).

He would also captain Ireland three times in winning 62 caps, having made a try-scoring debut in the Five Nations defeat by England in January 1995.

He was replaced as Munster captain by Paul O'Connell for the 2007-08 season, at the end of which he announced his retirement and joined their coaching staff.

Foley initially took over as Munster forwards coach in 2011 - a role he briefly undertook with Ireland during the 2012 Six Nations - before graduating to head coach in 2014 after the departure of Rob Penney.

Munster appointed South African Rassie Erasmus as the club's director of rugby in July but Foley's job title remained head coach.

Media playback is not supported on this device Former Ireland coach O'Sullivan pays tribute to Anthony Foley

'One of our game's truly great guys'

BBC Sport's Tom English: This is hard to comprehend. Incredibly sad. One of Munster's all-time greats.

Glasgow Warriors coach and former Scotland international Gregor Townsend: A sad day for rugby. Hugely influential figure in the game. A good man gone too soon. RIP Axel.

Welsh Rugby Union: Unbelievably sad news. Thoughts and prayers with all Anthony's family, friends and colleagues. RIP

Former Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan: It is hard to get your head around what has happened, a young man in the prime of his life taken away so suddenly.

Former Scotland international Craig Chalmers: Can't believe the shocking news about Anthony Foley. One of our games truly great guys and always a Munster and Irish rugby legend.

Former England international Brian Moore: Just heard the terrible news of the death of Munster's Anthony Foley - thoughts with his family - very sad indeed.

England international Mike Brown: Absolutely terrible and sad news. Thoughts are with all his family, friends and everyone at Munster.

World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper: Shocked by the tragic news of Anthony Foley. All at World Rugby send our heart-felt condolences and thoughts to family, friends and Munster.

Munster's travelling fans gathered outside the ground in Paris after hearing the news of Anthony Foley's death</s>Foley was with his team in the French capital ahead of Munster's match against Racing 92 which was due to take place this afternoon.

A statement released by the Irish Rugby Football Union confirmed Foley passed away at the team hotel in Paris.

The statement reads: "It is with deep regret that the Irish Rugby Football Union and Munster Rugby must advise of the passing overnight of Munster Rugby head coach Anthony Foley, at the team hotel in Paris.

"The IRFU and Munster Rugby pass on our deepest sympathies to all of Anthony's family and friends and ask for privacy for the family at this sad time.

"As a mark of respect to Anthony and his family and to support players management and staff, Munster Rugby have requested that today's match against Racing 92 be rescheduled."

Foley represented the Irish rugby team on 62 occasions and captained his country three times.

He became head coach of Munster in July 2014, replacing Rob Penney.</s>Munster Rugby coach Anthony Foley has died suddenly, aged 42, at the team hotel in Paris, it has been announced.

In a statement, Munster and IRFU said: “It is with deep regret that the Irish Rugby Football Union and Munster Rugby must advise of the passing overnight of Munster Rugby head coach Anthony Foley, at the team hotel in Paris.

“Munster Rugby management are liaising directly with Anthony’s family and will provide them with any assistance and support required.

“The IRFU and Munster Rugby pass on our deepest sympathies to all of Anthony’s family and friends and ask for privacy for the family at this sad time.

“As a mark of respect to Anthony and his family and and to support players, management and staff, Muster Rugby have requested that today’s match against Racing 92 be rescheduled.

“Munster Rugby thank Racing 92, EPCR, broadcasters and partners, and the many fans who travelled to Paris for their understanding and support at this time.”

A veteran of Irish and Munster rugby, Foley played for Ireland 62 times, captaining his country on three occasions. He also led Munster to their first European Cup victory in 2006. In all, he made 86 appearances in European competition for his province before taking over as Head Coach in 2014.

European Professional Club Rugby chairman Simon Halliday said: “On behalf of EPCR, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Anthony’s family and to everyone associated with Munster and Irish rugby. He was a magnificent player and a superb coach and he will be sorely missed.”

Former Ireland and Munster player Donal Lenihan said Munster Rugby was Anthony Foley’s life. “Everything he did was geared for the betterment of Munster Rugby,” he said on RTÉ radio.</s>Foley, who played 62 times for his country, was found dead in the team's hotel in Paris, ahead of a match in the European Champions Cup against Racing 92.

A statement by the Irish Rugby Football Union said: "The IRFU and Munster Rugby pass on our deepest sympathies to all of Anthony's family and friends and ask for privacy for the family at this sad time." No cause of death has been given.

Foley had been on the backroom staff with Munster since 2009, having made 194 appearances as a player for the provincial side, skippering them to victory in the 2006 Heineken Cup, Europe's top club competition.

Sunday's match in Paris was immediately postponed as the news of his passing became public, with a wreath and Munster scarf laid on the center circle of the stadium where the team had been due to play.

Tributes were led by Irish president Michael Higgins. "It is with great sadness that I heard of the sudden death of Anthony Foley, the Munster rugby team's head coach and one of the great figures of Irish sport in the modern era," he said. We're deeply saddened at the sudden death of the great Anthony Foley. For @shannonrfc @Munsterrugby & @IrishRugby - a legend. #RIPAxel pic.twitter.com/gHI2lGBy1N — Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 16, 2016 "He was regarded with great respect and deep affection not just among the Munster rugby fans but by all those interested in Irish sports and those with whom they interacted abroad," added Higgins, who is also patron of the Irish Rugby Union. Back-row forward Foley scored a try on his debut against England in 1995 and became a key figure in the Irish side, captaining them on three occasions. England World Cup winner Brian Moore, who played against Foley, said: "Just heard the terrible news of the death of Munster's Anthony Foley -- thoughts with his family -- very sad indeed." Foley's father Brendan was part of the Munster team that famously defeated the All Blacks in 1978, and his sister Rosie was a member of the Irish women's squad. He leaves a wife Olive and two sons. Touching tribute to Anthony Foley by the Munster fans in Paris #RIPAnthonyFoley (🎥 @Murray_Kinsella) pic.twitter.com/1gyjWWvjVv — Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) October 16, 2016 Clubs across Britain and Europe added sympathy messages on social media, while Ireland's former track and field star Sonia O'Sullivan said his death was "sad and shocking". Stunned Munster fans in Paris gathered for their own poignant tribute with a rendition of the Fields of Athenry. An impromptu memorial with messages of condolence was also being left outside the stadium.</s>Munster and IRFU statement on the sudden passing of Antony Foley

“It is with deep regret that the Irish Rugby Football Union and Munster Rugby must advise of the passing overnight of Munster Rugby Head Coach Anthony Foley, at the team hotel in Paris.

“Munster Rugby management are liaising directly with Anthony’s family and will provide them with any assistance and support required.

“The IRFU and Munster Rugby pass on our deepest sympathies to all of Anthony’s family and friends and ask for privacy for the family at this sad time.

“As a mark of respect to Anthony and his family, and to support players, management and staff, Muster Rugby have requested that today’s match against Racing 92 be rescheduled.

“Munster Rugby thank Racing 92, EPCR, broadcasters and partners, and the many fans who travelled to Paris for their understanding and support at this time.</s>Glasgow coach Gregor Townsend has joined the rugby world in paying tribute to Anthony Foley, the head coach of Irish side Munster who died suddenly yesterday aged 42.

Foley, a former Ireland back-row and a Munster great, was found dead in the province’s team hotel in Paris just hours before their opening European Champions Cup clash against Racing 92.

The Pool 1 match was immediately postponed but Foley’s death was marked by a touching tribute at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir where a scarf, wreath and cap were left on the centre of the empty pitch.

Outside the stadium in Colombes, hundreds of Munster fans who had travelled to Paris joined French supporters to mark “Axel” Foley’s passing with an impromptu minute’s silence and a rendition of The Fields of Athenry.

Munster fans also queued to leave messages of condolences on a makeshift memorial at the ground, while back home in Limerick supporters left jerseys, flowers, scarves and hats at the team’s Thomond Park.

Glasgow are also in Pool 1 of the European Champions Cup and are scheduled to play Munster in Limerick on Friday. Last night it was unclear whether the match will go ahead as planned.

If this weekend’s fixture is called off, then it would be the second European campaign in succession that a Glasgow game has been held over in tragic circumstances. Less than a year ago their encounter with Racing 92 was cancelled at a few hours’ notice in the wake of the terror attacks in Paris that killed 132 people.

“It is a sad day for rugby,” tweeted Townsend, who will leave his role as Glasgow coach to take charge of Scotland at the end of the season. “Axel was a hugely influential figure in the game. A good man has gone too soon.”

The tributes flooded in for Foley as the rugby community tried to come to terms with the sudden death of such a respected figure. Former Glasgow and Scotland captain Andy Nicol said: “The passing of Axel Foley has floored me.

“I attended his testimonial dinner a few years ago and played golf with him the next day. He was a top man!”

Jonny Petrie, the Edinburgh managing director and another ex-Glasgow skipper, added: “It is horrible, horrible news. My thoughts go to all connected with Munster. Anthony was a great opponent and someone who has gone too soon from our rugby family.”

A spokesman for the SRU stated: “Everyone at Scottish

condolences to the Munster colleagues and family of Anthony Foley at this very sad time.”

Former Scotland utility back Michael Dods said: “Anthony was a great player, ambassador and gentleman. I am shocked to hear the news.”

Foley, a back-row and fan favourite No 8, was a record-breaking try scorer in his days in the red Munster jersey.

He followed his father Brendan’s footsteps and ultimately emulated his legendary on-pitch success.

Foley played for Ireland 62 times, scoring a try against England on his debut in 1995 in the Five Nations, as it was then.

He also led Munster to their first European Cup victory in 2006 after years of heartbreak in top-flight competition. Two years later he was central to the province’s repeat success with many stirring and passionate performances.

Foley scored 39 tries for his province and made 86 appearances in European competition before taking on backroom roles from 2009 and being named head coach in 2014.

He is survived by his wife Olive and their children.

Munster Rugby chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald said Foley was a true rugby great and the embodiment of Munster Rugby.

“Widely known for his extensive knowledge of the game and rugby brain, Axel brought so much to the province as a player and then a coach,” he said. A very popular figure off the field, he was an incredibly likeable character with a great sense of humour and he lived life to the full.”

Fitzgerald added: “Never a man to back down from a challenge, Anthony’s determination on the field was mirrored by his actions off it, always honest in everything he did. His legacy will live on in the next generation and beyond.”

Foley was from Killaloe in County Clare. He played for St Munchin’s and Shannon in his early years but was destined for Munster red and to follow his father Brendan who was part of the team that defeated the All Blacks in 1978.

Munster Rugby added: “It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to our coach, former captain, colleague and friend today, rest in peace Anthony Foley.”

Foley was roundly praised for his ability to read the game in his role as a No 8, his intelligence on the field and his understated attitude.

“Can’t quite believe it,” tweeted former Ireland centre Brian O’Driscoll. “So incredibly sad. My thoughts are with Olive, his boys & and his extended family.”</s>Munster fans sing outside the Stade Yves-du-Manoir on Sunday, following the news that head coach Anthony Foley died suddenly in the team’s hotel. Foley, a former Ireland international, was 42 and had been in charge at Munster since July 2014. He was due to take charge of the team on Sunday against Racing 92, but that match has now been postponed</s>The family of Anthony Foley, the Munster head coach who died suddenly in a Paris hotel on Sunday hours before a Champions Cup match against Racing 92 at the age of 42, issued a statement on Monday saying they had been “plunged deep into an incomprehensible darkness”.

A date for the funeral of Foley, a former Munster and Ireland captain whose death generated tributes from leading figures throughout the game, has not been set because the cause of his death has yet to be determined.

“The family of Anthony Foley wishes to extend its deepest appreciation to the endless legions of friends and the wider rugby family here and abroad for the huge outpouring of support and sympathy since Anthony’s tragic and most untimely passing at the weekend,” the statement began. “With Anthony’s passing we have ultimately lost an amazing, adoring and loving father and husband; an equally caring, loyal and devoted son and brother; a central and go-to figure for the wider Foley and Hogan families.

“Our anguish at the sudden loss of Anthony is bottomless. We have been plunged deep into an incomprehensible darkness and sense of loss that we must work our way through over the coming days, weeks, months and years.

“We know, too, that his sudden death has brought the rugby worlds of Shannon RFC, Munster, Ireland and much further afield crashing down. You have lost a former player, coach, friend and all-round inspiration – your and our hero both. We mourn his loss together.”

Wales, meanwhile, announce their squad for the four autumn internationals, but will need reinforcements for the first match against Australia on 5 November. Their England-based players will not be released by Premiership Rugby for the game with the Wallabies because it falls outside the official international window.

It means George North, Jamie Roberts, Luke Charteris, Taulupe Faletau, who would probably not have been involved anyway as he recovers from a knee injury, Ross Moriarty and Rhys Priestland will not be available for the interim head coach Rob Howley’s first match since Warren Gatland started his sabbatical to focus on the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.

Premiership Rugby’s policy, which was agreed unanimously by the 12 clubs, is that non-England internationals are not released for Tests outside the official window under any circumstances. England have access to their players for fourth internationals as part of the £200m agreement with the clubs.

Better news for Howley was that his captain, Sam Warburton, who this month had surgery on a fractured cheekbone, is in line to return for Cardiff Blues on Friday against Pau in the European Challenge Cup. The Blues made a winning start to their campaign at Bristol last week and the Ashton Gate club have signed the former England fly-half Shane Geraghty from London Irish on a season‑long deal. The Premiership’s bottom club have a crisis at No10 with Tusi Pisi, Adrian Jarvis, Gavin Henson and Callum Sheedy all injured.</s>The first game of the Five Nations rugby championship in 1995 was not a happy one for Ireland. Will Carling’s England team swaggered into Dublin and in wretched conditions – the tournament still began in January in those days – their gargantuan pack of forwards helped them to a first win in what was to become a grand slam campaign. There was some consolation for the bedraggled Irish supporters, though. In the dying seconds, Anthony Foley, a 21-year-old flanker from the Shannon club, and one of three debutants in their side, marked his first game with a try from a tapped penalty. A great international career had begun.

Foley, who would go on to win 62 caps in the following decade, became a central figure for Ireland and Munster, whom he would lead to a Heineken Cup victory over Biarritz in 2006. His 202 appearances for Munster are a record. At the time of his sudden death, at the age of 42, he was head coach of Munster and had been preparing his side for their opening game in the European Champions Cup against Racing 92 in Paris. As a mark of respect the game on Sunday afternoon was postponed.

He was nicknamed “Axel”, after Eddie Murphy’s character in the 1984 film Beverly Hills Cop. It was an ironic soubriquet. No one could have been less like the garrulous Axel Foley. Ireland’s version was a quiet man who on the pitch played with a silent fury and off it was an amiable if bluff man. For the last two decades Munster, the hot-bed of Irish rugby, has been dominated by two high-profile characters, the former Lions captain Paul O’Connell and the fly-half Ronan O’Gara. Both went on to careers in France, but Foley stayed true to his roots. He was the quintessential Munster rugby man and the first player from the Shannon club to become captain of Ireland when he led the team out to play Samoa in 2001. He captained Ireland three times.

He was an unflashy No 8. An intelligent player, he was essentially a team man and best appreciated by his team-mates. Keith Wood, the former Ireland hooker and captain, once said he never saw Foley play a bad game but, despite being a permanent fixture in the Irish back row, Foley, unlike Wood, was overlooked for the Lions side and his omission in the squad to tour Australia in 2001 particularly rankled.

Foley had only sketchy memories of the greatest day in Munster’s history, when the province beat the All Blacks in 1978 and his father, Brendan, an Ireland prop forward, was in the side. Foley was born in Limerick, the home of Thomond Park, the scene of that great triumph, and grew up in Killaloe, Co Clare. His family – his father, mother, Sheila, and sisters, Orla and Rosie – were fired with enthusiasm for the game of rugby union and little Anthony soon caught the bug.

He was educated at St Munchin’s college, a nursery for players, and captained them to the Munster Junior Cup in 1989. Three years later, the hulking youngster played for Ireland’s Schools side, making his debut against New Zealand, who included Jonah Lomu in their line-up. Foley had played for three years in the Munster Schools team and two years for Irish Schools and within six months of leaving school was in Shannon’s first team. He did not miss a game for five years as Shannon dominated the All Ireland League, winning four titles in a row from 1995 to 1998.

Foley’s debut try for Ireland in 1995 was followed by four more and he went on to score 39 tries for Munster. He took over the captaincy of Munster in 2005 as his international career was drawing to a close. The following year Foley led the province to their 23-19 Heineken Cup final win over Biarritz in Cardiff, Munster’s third final appearance after defeats in 2000 and 2002. Over two-thirds in the ground that day wore the red of Munster and around 40,000 greeted Foley’s side on their return to Limerick the next day. The young Foley had at last emulated the feats of his father in 1978.

Munster’s stock as a European force has dropped in recent seasons and a Champions Cup defeat to Stade Français last January saw them fail to make the knock-out stages of the competition for the second successive season. Foley, head coach since taking over from Rob Penney in 2014, stood aside at the end of the season as the South African Rassie Erasmus arrived to become the province’s director of rugby. Foley retained his head coach title and was said to be happier working with the players on restoring the glories of the old days.

Foley’s sister Rosie also played rugby for Ireland. He is survived by his wife, Olive, and children, Tony and Dan, and by his parents and sisters.</s>People have taken to social media to pay tribute and share their memories of former Irish rugby player Anthony Foley after his sad passing at the age of 42.

The Munster head coach died suddenly at his team hotel in Paris on Sunday.

A veteran of Irish and Munster rugby, Foley played for Ireland 62 times, captaining his country on three occasions.

He also led Munster to their first European Cup victory in 2006. In all, he made 86 appearances in European competition for his province before taking over as Head Coach in 2014.

Among those who took to Twitter was former Ireland and Munster out-half Ronan O’Gara, who said:

“...Heartbroken.We have lost an incredible man. Too sad to tweet further.. sleep well Axel. We love you..xxx”

Ireland scrum-half Peter Stringer said: “Feeling numb and alone with only thoughts of this remarkable man.My protector on the field,I will miss you forever Axel. RIP”

Former Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan said: “He had this intrinsic understanding of the nuances of the game, he knew when to run, when to pass…. He knew what was most important based on the score, based on the time on the clock.”

Others shared their memories of Foley in comments under The Irish Times posts on Facebook.

Jane Kelly Walker said: “My condolences to his family and Munster fans as a Leinster and Ireland fan he was one of the best. So much talent and a gentleman. Rugby has lost a great man. Rip Axel”

Marguerite Tonery said: “The whole Irish rugby community will mourn his passing. God help his family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis”

Des O’Donnell said: “Shocked and saddened by passing of Axel. A true legend and will always be fondly remembered. So sorry for his poor family. Total tragedy. RIP.”

If you would like to pay your condolences , or share a memory of the man affectionately known as Axel, please post in our comment section under this article.
Anthony Foley, coach of Irish rugby union team Munster, dies suddenly at the age of 42 in a hotel near Paris. Officials postpone Munster's European Rugby Champions Cup match against Racing 92.