Minute’s silence for Anthony Foley on Sunday
The Munster and Ireland great passed away last weekend, the shock news bringing together the rugby family in united mourning for a man who summed up the best traditions of the game.
Players and supporters of both teams at Kingston Park Stadium will be asked to remain silent before kick-off and pay their respects to the Munster head coach, Newcastle director of rugby Dean Richards wholeheartedly supporting the decision.
He said: “I came across Anthony a number of times, both playing and coaching against his sides.
“He will be sadly missed. He was a real competitor and a character, it is an incredible shame what has happened and our best wishes go out to his friends and family.”
Richards has been credited in some quarters as being the man who gave Foley his nickname of ‘Axel’, having joked about the lead character in the film Beverley Hills Cop.
“It was just a passing comment made in jest,” he said.
“I wasn’t aware I was the person responsible for the nickname sticking. If that’s true then so be it, but it’s irrelevant really. The important thing is that we pay our respects during the minute’s silence on Sunday, and that our best wishes go to Anthony’s family and friends.”
