Dancing in memory of 'Axel' was very trying

Shane tackled waltz as tribute to his rugby pal

- SANDRA MALLON

FORMER rugby star Shane Byrne has told of the pressure he felt performing for late pal Anthony "Axel" Foley on Dancing With The Stars.

He paid an emotional tribute to the Munster legend who died aged 42 in October 2016.

On Dedication Week on the RTE series, viewers saw Shane perform the Viennese waltz to the Queen classic, We Are The Champions.

Afterwards, an emotional Shane said he and pro-dance partner Karen Byrne felt pressure to get it right as Anthony's wife, Olive, and two children were in the audience.

He added: "You want to do your best to stay in the competition, but this is for a different reason. I wanted to get it right for his family. There was no ease in the pressure at all. Karen, 30, added: "I think it was the most nerves I felt in the whole six years on the show.