Irish rugby has proved itself a distinguished institution in its collective response to the tragic passing of Anthony Foley. Yesterday's occasion at Thomond Park was extraordinary, and later that evening, a truly moving rendition of Fields of Athenry opened Ulster's game with Exeter at Ravenhill.
This afternoon in France, Leinster have done their bit to honor the memory of Foley, by taking to the field in France in red t-shirts bearing the number 8 and the initials AF.
Much is made of the rivalry between Leinster and Munster, but this kind of gesture shows the true nature of the relationship between the two provinces.
Both teams held a minutes' applause for Foley. Watch it below, and try not be disappointed by the half-full stadium and the world's worst smoke machine, which resembles a few upturned fire extinguishers:
Nice touch by Leinster. They tweeted this pre-game, too:
Thinking of Anthony. Of Olive. And of their two boys. #SUAF #MONvLEI pic.twitter.com/zu4oHcNzgq
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) October 23, 2016
This writer is reminded of a line he heard on the radio the day of Foley's passing. It was a Leinster fan who said: 'Anthony Foley has broken Leinster hearts a lot in the past, but never more so than today'.
RIP.
