There was a lovely l'Equipe tribute to Anthony Foley after an emotional day at Thomond Park on Saturday.
"The red circle". That is the headline on the page of the article that goes on to describe how "the Munstermen, reduced to fourteen by the nineteenth minute, choked Glasgow before involving Anthony Foley's sons in a singing tribute. 'Axel' would have been proud."
Lovely page dedicated to the passing of Axel in today's l'equipe #LeCercleRouge pic.twitter.com/DChfc5sn5V
— Stephen McCarthy (@sportsfilesteve) October 23, 2016
Frédéric Bernes, author of the piece, notes the similarity of 'Stand Up And Fight' to 'Toreador' from the musical 'Carmen' and accurately sums up the incredible atmosphere after the match.
At once, for the first time in two hours, Thomond Park, carmine red, was silent. To listen. To watch the two children, eleven and eight years old. To think of their father who would have loved to see his team perform for each other like they had just done. Who would have loved to hear Thomond Park roar with such strength - he who despaired upon seeing such empty seats these last months. Yesterday, the stadium was full to the brim. No one wanted to miss the last goodbye to their former captain and coach...
The report goes on to describe the match as the "ultimate tribute", a game that "took on another dimension" as a result - the game was "like a sacred mission".
And the report finishes on a poignant note.
It was against Glasgow, in 2008, that Foley played his last match for Munster. What's more, he scored a try. He still holds the province's record for tries in a European Cup (22). One day, without doubt, Simon Zebo, who scored his sixteenth yesterday, will overtake him. And, without a doubt, Tony and Dan will applaud him.
(h/t: Stephen McCarthy)
