Rugby great Anthony Foley died of heart failure

The unexpected death of Munster and Ireland rugby hero Anthony Foley in a Paris hotel was due to “acute pulmonary oedema” caused by a heart rhythm disorder, it has emerged.

An autopsy of the 42-year-old father of two found that the Co Clare man had suffered a build-up of fluid in the lungs that can lead to respiratory failure.

His death could “be linked to a cardiac problem”, the French prosecutor’s office said.

Other toxicological analyses are under way, with the results due in a few weeks.

Following the autopsy, the prosecutor in Nanterre issued a burial permit that will allow the head coach’s remains to be flown to Shannon today.

The coffin will be brought to his home in Killaloe, Co Clare, so his family and friends can have some private time with his remains.

Anthony ‘Axel’ Foley will lie in repose at St Flannan’s Church, Killaloe, from 1pm to 8.30pm tomorrow evening.

“People intending on paying their respects to Anthony are asked to attend early. House afterwards is private,” a spokesman for the family said.

His funeral Mass will take place at midday on Friday at St Flannan’s Church, with the church reserved for family and friends only.

Foley was found dead in his hotel room hours before his side were to play Racing 92 in the European Champions Cup in Paris on Sunday.

The back-row forward led Munster to Heineken Cup victory in 2006, had won 62 caps for Ireland, and had captained the national team on three occasions.