during the European Rugby Champions Cup match between Leicester Tigers and Munster at Welford Road on December 20, 2015 in Leicester, England.

Prior to the Champions Cup in Paris on Sunday, the rugby world was shocked after Munster’s coach was found dead in his hotel room.

Anthony Foley, who coached Munster and the Ireland international team, was found dead Saturday. He was 42.

So far, the cause of Foley’s death is unknown. Foley’s body will undergo a post-mortem examination before his body is released to his family.

Foley came to prominence as a rugby player. He won four consecutive Irish league championships and was a mainstay on the Irish national team before becoming a coach.

As a coach, Foley coached the Munster team that won a championship in 2006. Munster was set to open Champions Cup play Sunday against Racing 92. The match was postponed due to Foley’s death.

Foley’s death has left plenty shocked, including Irish president Michael D. Higgins.

“Anthony Foley excelled from a young age and made a huge contribution to the successes of Munster and Ireland, in both his playing and coaching careers,” Higgins said.

“He was regarded with great respect and deep affection not just among the Munster rugby fans but by all those interested in Irish sports and those with whom they interacted abroad.

“While news of his death will be received with shock by all those in the rugby and sports world, it is of course first and foremost a great tragedy for his family and close friends.” 

This situation is a sad one, and a highly unusual one in the sports world. Hopefully the team will be able to recover and play for a championship in honor of its fallen coach.

[The Telegraph]

About Ryan Williamson

Ryan is a recent graduate of the University of Missouri and has recently returned to his Minnesota roots. He previously has worked for the Columbia Missourian, KFAN radio in Minneapolis and BringMeTheNews.com. Feel free to email me at rwilliamson29 AT Gmail dot com.