Simon Zebo paid a touching tribute to the late Anthony Foley on the Late Late Show on the 10th anniversary of the Munster legend’s death.

Foley was Zebo’s Head Coach at Munster when he passed away suddenly back in 2016 in Paris, as his side were preparing to play Racing 92 in the Champions Cup.

And 10 years on, Munster will face Racing 92 once again in the Champions Cup, in front of an expected crowd of over 25,000 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork.

Munster Anthony Foley
Anthony Foley with the Heineken Cup. Pic: Billy Stickland/INPHO

And while on the Late Late Show promoting his new autobiography, Zeebs, Patrick Kielty asked Simon Zebo about Foley, and how emotionally charged Saturday’s game with Racing 92 will be.

‘Big time. Yeah, it’s going to be a sad day,’ Zebo said. ‘Axel had a massive part to play in my career, in my life as well. It’s very sad. It’s ten years now already that he’s been gone.

‘You’re thinking of Olive and Dan and Tony, his family, extended family, Brendan and the Foley family. It’s incredibly difficult, but I hope they honour him in the right way tomorrow. I’m sure they will.’

Simon Zebo Anthony Foley
Anthony Foley and Simon Zebo. Pic: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

He added: ‘Axel was the embodiment of everything good about Munster rugby. You know, the backs against the wall, the underdog tag, doing the impossible, lifting the Champions Cup in 2006, the first captain to do so for the province. He means a whole lot to a whole lot of people in Munster and Irish rugby, and I’ve no doubt his legacy will live on forever. It’s cemented.’

Munster will pay tribute to ‘Axel’ today by retiring the number 8 jersey Foley wore throughout his illustrious career, with Brian Gleeson wearing 24 instead.

Munster face Racing 92 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, with kick off at 8pm on Saturday night, with coverage live on Premier Sports.