Munster remember Anthony Foley in the best way possible

Never before did Thomond Park radiate such an emotionally-charged atmosphere for a game which, in advance at least, the outcome wasn’t the most important issue on the day. Some harboured a fear that, with little or no preparation over the course of a draining week, Munster were vulnerable and exposed to a very good Glasgow Warriors side.

Saturday was all about Anthony Foley, honouring his passing, his unprecedented contribution to Munster rugby and somehow delivering a performance reflective of everything that he stood for over his 22 years of unbroken service to the Munster senior set-up.

Given the excellence of Glasgow’s performance in their 42-13 Champions Cup win over Leicester Tigers in the opening round, Munster at their best, would be hard pressed to win this one. Yet the hallmark of Munster rugby over the years, especially when chasing that first, elusive Heineken Cup success, was character in adversity. The necessity for those attributes was never in greater demand than in the buildup to this contest.