Munster retire No.8 jersey to honour Anthony Foley on 10th anniversary of his death

Munster will retire their No.8 jersey for Saturday’s Champions Cup opener against Racing 92 at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork, honouring the memory of Anthony Foley on the 10th anniversary of his death. The gesture mirrors the tribute paid during Munster’s first match after Foley passed away in October 2016, with Brian Gleeson set to wear No.24 in his place.

A series of tributes and commemorative events are planned around the province’s opening European fixture this week. Head coach Clayton McMillan said the squad has been thinking of Foley — known throughout Irish rugby as “Axel” — and his family more than ever.

“The players are determined to put in a performance that Axel would be proud of. He is spoken about every day in our building,” McMillan said. “While it will be an emotional day, the players know that the best way to honour his incredible legacy is to play the game with the right mentality and produce a committed team performance that shows how much they care for the jersey and the province.”

Munster have made six changes to the side that drew with Ulster in Belfast last weekend, with four players set for their Champions Cup debuts. First-year Academy fly-half Charlie O’Shea starts alongside Ireland international Craig Casey, while flanker Seán Edogbo also makes his first appearance in European club rugby’s premier competition.

In the pack, John Hodnett, Tom Ahern, Jack Aungier and Gleeson all come in alongside Edogbo. Summer signings Aungier, hooker Marnus van der Merwe and prop Kieran Brookes will make their first Champions Cup appearances in Munster colours, though McMillan was quick to note their experience at this level.

“Marnus van der Merwe, Jack Aungier and Kieran Brookes are seasoned campaigners who have already played at this level. They get to do so with Munster for the first time and we have been really pleased with their contributions since joining in the summer,” he said.

Among the replacements, Max Clein and Ben O’Donovan are in line for their Champions Cup debuts after graduating from the academy to the senior squad over the summer. The back division is largely unchanged, with Ben O’Connor at full-back, Shay McCarthy and Seán O’Brien on the wings, and the midfield partnership of Dan Kelly and Alex Nankivell continuing.