Rugby will go on this weekend, although under a very heavy cloud. The Irish provinces will play with Anthony Foley in their hearts and minds as well as on their sleeves. It is hard to think of rugby but it will and must go on.

Connacht will be furthest from home with a trip to Italy to play Zebre. They will almost welcome the distraction. After their wonderful win over Toulouse last Saturday, they simply have to get the bonus-point victory here. The folly of having the Italian side in the premier European competition was shown last weekend when they lost 82-14 to Wasps. Having Zebre in your group enhances your chances of achieving a knockout place in the runner-up slot but, to do that, the Italians must become a five-point outing home and away. It is, however, just a couple of weeks since Zebre led Connacht 22-10 at half-time in a game that had to be called off due to inclement weather. Connacht haven’t lost a game since and to show that they have turned the corner, they must do the professional thing on Saturday and finish Zebre early and often. They will. And they will put themselves in excellent shape ahead of the autumn international break.

Ulster v Exeter chiefs

Ulster will have a similar task at home to Exeter in Ravenhill on Saturday night in that they host a team that were hammered at home last weekend by Clermont. The Champions Cup adventure for the Chiefs is over and their focus is surely back on the English Premiership. That should mean that Ulster get themselves back into the competition following their very disappointing late collapse against Bordeaux. They got a boost during the week when Ruan Pienaar’s knee injury turned out to be minor and he might play, although he’ll hardly be needed for the full 80 this week. Ulster to get back on the bike.

Montpellier v Leinster

Leinster were one of the most impressive performers of the first round. The bonus point was never in doubt and they played with a flair we haven’t seen for some time. They did this without Johnny Sexton and with a pack that dominated from start to finish. A pack that should shortly have Sean O’Brien to unleash.

This is the game to take our minds off life for a while. It is Sunday’s first offering and if Leinster really are contenders once more, this is the type of game they should be getting something from. The least they can leave France with is a losing bonus point, something Montpellier managed in Northampton last weekend. Indeed, it took a very late penalty to deprive them of a valuable away win.

Unlike some other French Top 14 sides, Montpellier are not a team stocked with very expensive superstars, although they have recruited very wisely, with some big and strong Springboks. Powerful centre François Steyn is the quality pick of the bunch, not the cheapest either; he has, after all, played for South Africa more than 50 times. His ability to kick long-range penalties will test Leinster’s discipline. This guy once kicked three from his own half in one game, against the All Blacks no less. Don’t tempt him, lads.

Sunday will be the second outing for the Henshaw-Ringrose centre partnership and the more times they play together, the better they will get. We already saw positive signs in the RDS on Saturday that they will flourish in tandem. Both can make their own space, both can engineer half breaks, both can feed off the other creating those instinctive opportunities.

I think Leinster can go to France and win – I’m just not sure this is the weekend that will happen. A losing bonus point may be the acceptable outcome.

Munster v Glasgow Warriors

And then we have Munster. At the time of writing, it had yet to be confirmed whether their game would go ahead.

One of the great things about sport is that it provides an outlet from which heroes like Anthony Foley emerge. Supporting a team serves as a glorious distraction from reality and brings with it a sense of belonging. Anthony Foley was Shannon. He was Munster. He was Ireland.

If it goes ahead, Thomond Park will be a sad and beautiful place to be at lunchtime on Saturday, and although it may be hard to focus on trying to win a simple game of rugby, those in attendance will know exactly what Anthony Foley would have done in such a situation. We can only hope we see his like again. CL

Remembering a legend

It is very difficult to think about sport in the wake of Anthony Foley’s sudden passing. His loss is felt well beyond the sporting world. This giant of Munster and Irish rugby was also an incredibly decent human being. Words are rarely enough in these situations when a father, a husband, a son, a brother and a friend to so many is gone at the age of just 42.

I was in Cusack Park on Sunday for the Clare senior hurling club final when we heard the news and it was entirely fitting that there was an impeccably observed minute’s silence before the start of the game.

Anthony Foley was more than just an icon of Munster and Irish rugby, he was a proud and active member of his local community in Killaloe, having moved to Clare as a very young boy. While rugby was his chosen sport, he played hurling for Clare at U-16 level and as recently as six years ago he played with Smith O’Briens as they captured a Junior B football title. He was a regular at their games with his two young sons who played for the club, as well as Clare matches when time allowed.

In the Clare People newspaper office in Ennis, a simple search was conducted on the photo system for suitable pictures of Anthony Foley on Monday morning. While a host of pictures appeared of him in Irish, Shannon and Munster jerseys, the majority were of him at various charity events. Those ranged from local and worthy organisations in or around his native Killaloe, to a number of national campaigns.

This was clearly a man who never said no when asked to lend his time. And within so many of the tributes paid to him this week, that has been a recurring theme. The most poignant photograph was the most recent one we had taken, one of him strolling in the aforementioned Cusack Park with the Smith O’Brien’s U-12 hurlers before a game as recently as 30 July. Ten short weeks later, the same ground stood in memory of him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and many, many friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.