Former England and British and Irish Lions coach Clive Woodward has described Anthony Foley as the "epitome of all that was good about Irish rugby".
The shock of Foley's death at the age of 42 continues to reverberate around the sport, with the Munster and Ireland legend's funeral drawing huge crowds of mourners to his home town of Killaloe on Friday.
Munster must begin their recovery from the loss of their head coach with what is certain to be an emotionally-charged Champions Cup clash against Glasgow in Limerick on Saturday, while all European fixtures this weekend will be prefaced by a minute's silence or applause.
And World Cup-winning coach Woodward admitted he was still shocked by the death of a player he faced many times during his time leading England.
Speaking exclusively to RTÉ Sport today, he said: "It's hard to put into words.
"Our thoughts are with his family first of all, and everyone in Munster and Ireland. Things like that just don't happen.
"He was around when I was coaching England, he was ever-present in the Irish team and he was one of those players who just summed up all the good in Irish rugby.
"Win, lose or draw, he'd be the guy giving you a high five and a hug. Just a great, great guy. The rugby world has lost someone amazingly special and I can't quite get over it to be honest.
"Rugby has been very lucky to have Anthony Foley around for all these years.
"As a player he was top drawer and as a man even bigger in many ways. He epitomised to me, from an English point of view, all that was good about Ireland, Irish people and Irish rugby especially.
"Everyone loved him, and I don't use that word lightly, everyone did love him. He was just a great guy."
That love for Foley has led to tributes and condolences from throughout the sport, and Woodward says the outpouring of emotion should not be seen as a surprise.
"I'm not surprised at all," he said. "That's why rugby is such a special game, it's moved on hugely but it's still got its values. It's an amazing family.
"He was Munster. When you talk about Munster, he's the first name they mention. It's going to be an amazing day [against Glasgow], for all the wrong reasons, but that's why rugby is the great team sport in the world."
