€1 from each match programme sold at Munster’s St. Stephen’s Day encounter with Leinster will be donated to the Irish Heart Foundation

In keeping with previous years, the round 11 Guinness PRO14 Interpro fixture has been nominated as Munster’s official “Charity Match”.

During half-time, Anne Riordan, Irish Heart Regional Manager for Munster, will be presented with a signed Munster jersey on pitch.

Match programmes will be on sale at the game for €5, with €1 from each match programme sold donated to the charity.

As part of this season’s ongoing charity partnership the province is working closely with the Irish Heart Foundation in driving CPR awareness across the province in memory of Anthony Foley.

Former head coach Foley died suddenly in his hotel room in Paris on October 16, when away with the Munster team.

Almost one year on from his tragic passing, his wife Olive hopes more lives can be saved from sudden cardiac death, which claims 5,000 lives in Ireland every year, averaging 13 per day.

Olive Foley said: “The Irish Heart Foundation does incredible work and it’s only right that we would give our full support to this initiative.

The partnership began with the Champions Cup game against Racing 92 in Thomond Park on Saturday, October 21, when Munster wore the Irish Heart Foundation’s logo on the front of the players’ jerseys.

There was also a minute’s applause in memory of Axel just before kick off in Thomond Park.

Claire Cooke, Munster Rugby CSR Project Manager, said: “We hope to make a real difference for the Irish Heart Foundation in helping them spread the word about the importance of lifesaving skills such as CPR.

“CPR, especially if performed in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, can double a person’s chance of survival.

“As with every season our objective is to increase awareness and raise funds for our nominated charities who do such wonderful work in Munster and Ireland.

“We are very thankful to Olive Foley and family for their full support with this campaign and we are hugely honoured to be associated with a lifesaving legacy in memory of Anthony.”