Pro12 rugby side Munster head coach ANTHONY FOLEY has "died suddenly" at the team hotel in Paris, according to the BBC. Foley, 42, "died overnight at the hotel," where the team was staying prior to Sunday's game against Racing 92. The European Champions Cup game has been "postponed following the former Ireland international's death." Foley "is survived by his wife Olive and three children." Foley, whose father Brendan also played for Ireland, "made 201 appearances in the back row for Munster in a playing career that spanned 13 years." Former Scotland int'l and Glasgow Warriors coach GREGOR TOWNSEND said, "A sad day for rugby. Hugely influential figure in the game. A good man gone too soon. RIP Axel." Former Scotland int'l CRAIG CHALMERS: "Can't believe the shocking news about Anthony Foley. One of our games truly great guys and always a Munster and Irish rugby legend" (BBC, 10/16). REUTERS' O'Connor & Robinson reported no details about the cause of death "have been made public." Foley, a powerful back-row forward nicknamed Axel, "will be best remembered for captaining Munster" to its first Heineken Cup final triumph in '06. No one knew better than Foley, "whose father Brendan was part of the Munster team that famously defeated the All Blacks in 1978, how much that meant to the province." Former Ireland int'l DONAL LENIHAN said, "He epitomizes what Munster rugby is all about. It's absolutely shocking. There's nothing but shock in the air." Rugby commentator TOM MCGURK said, "He was a great leader -- he was the heart and soul of that Munster team. It's absolutely shocking" (REUTERS, 10/16).
