Stringer's moving tribute to his 'protector' Foley

FORMER Munster and Ireland scrum half Peter Stringer has paid a warm tribute to Anthony Foley his ‘protector on the field.’

Stringer played with Foley at Shannon RFC, Munster and Ireland through two distinguished rugby careers.

Currently playing in the Aviva Premiership with Sale Sharks, Stringer tweeted: “Feeling numb and alone with only thoughts of this remarkable man. My protector on the field, I will miss you forever Axel.”

Stringer’s former half-back partner at Munster and Ireland, Ronan O’Gara also paid a moving tribute to the Munster head coach who passed away suddenly at the team’s hotel in Paris in the early hours of Sunday morning.

O’Gara tweeted: “Alone on the couch with Jess. Heartbroken. We have lost an incredible man. Too sad to tweet further. Sleep well Axel. We love you.”

Another former team-mate of Foley at Shannon, Munster and Ireland, Alan Quinlan also paid tribute.

“A true friend and mentor to so many of us. Rest in peace Axle. We'll never forget you,” Quinlan wrote.