Munster Rugby head coach Anthony Foley has died suddenly at their team hotel in Paris.Foley,42,died overnight at the Paris hotel where Munster were staying prior to Sunday’s scheduled game against Racing 92.
The European Champions Cup game has been 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 three children.
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.