Anthony Foley: ‘Your and our hero both, we mourn together’

They’ve taken plenty of hits over the years, so it takes something seismic to make big men falter in their step. It seems that moment came yesterday.

The visitors to Thomond Park came to pay tribute to their fallen brother, Munster head coach and playing legend Anthony Foley.

The number included men such as Paul O’Connell, Andrew Conway and Conor Murray — players used to navigating tight spots on the field of play. But, faced with the inexplicable loss of a 42-year-old in his prime, a loving husband and father, maybe this was one occasion where they wobbled.