Tadhg Furlong will be crucial to Ireland’s hopes of winning their first-ever Rugby World Cup after almost a decade of dominance in the front row.
Since making his debut against Wales in a warm-up game ahead of the 2015 tournament, the prop has cemented his place as one of the finest forwards in the world, winning 67 caps for Ireland and starring on two British & Irish Lions Tours.
His fantastic form has coincided with a golden era for Ireland, who have won two Grand Slams and recorded several historic victories in that time.
So, ahead of a crucial World Cup campaign for Furlong, let’s take a closer look at the moments that have defined his career.
Beating the All Blacks (2016)
Ireland’s first-ever win over New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago in 2016 will go down in history as one of their greatest-ever results, and a young Furlong played a crucial role.
He held down the set piece with distinction and was a powerful presence in the loose despite coming up against two iconic props in Joe Moody and Owen Franks.
Ireland won all eight of their scrums that day, and only lost two lineouts out of a possible 12, providing Joe Schmidt’s side with the perfect platform to hurt the opposition’s defence.
His rampaging run in a losing effort against New Zealand two weeks later may have gone viral, but the significance of that clip will fade with time.
However, history will never forget Ireland’s first win over the All Blacks, a 40-29 success.
Helping the Lions roar in New Zealand (2017)
Furlong was selected in Warren Gatland’s squad for The 2017 British & Irish Lions Tour to New Zealand after some outstanding displays for his country.
He went on to start all three matches against the All Blacks, but his performance in the second Test stands out above the rest.
It was the Lions’ first win over New Zealand since 1993, but it was also his first Test win in the famous red jersey.
And best of all, the result set up a mouth-watering climax to a once-in-a-lifetime Tour.
Everybody knows that Furlong can bounce off weaker opposition and achieve unbelievable feats of strength on the rugby field, but he truly shows his class in the biggest matches, where he rarely lets his side down.
And that was precisely what he did in the second Test, solid at the set-piece, destructive in the loose and a fierce competitor in defence.
Player of the Match against England (2018)
Furlong encapsulated everything good about Ireland’s 2018 Grand Slam squad with his performance away to old rivals England at Twickenham that year.
He had always done his job at the scrum and lineout, yes, but by 2018 he had evolved from a fearsome ball carrier into effectively an extra playmaker.
It was his slick hands that set up Bundee Aki in the build-up to Ireland’s second score in the 24-15 victory in the snow, but he was influential throughout as Ireland secured their first Grand Slam since 2009.
He was named Player of the Match for his efforts against England, a just reward after a superb display.
Back-to-back Team of the Year selections (2022)
After seven years of impressive showings on the pitch, Furlong started to receive recognition off it.
In 2021, he was named in the first-ever World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year having not put a foot wrong on The British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa.
Ireland finished second behind France in the Guinness Six Nations a year later, but yet again his performances were worthy of reward.
Furlong was named in the World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year again in 2022, and he is now one of just five players who could be included in all three XVs since the award’s inception.
Back with a vengeance to help Ireland win the Grand Slam (2023)
Furlong missed the first three games of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations but recovered from injury in time to make a crucial contribution in Ireland’s final two matches against Scotland and England.
And his return could not have come at a better time, with Connacht tight-head Finlay Bealham ruled out for the rest of the Championship due to injury.
Ireland’s injury issues went from bad to worse when Dan Sheehan was withdrawn after 18 minutes in Edinburgh in Round 4, followed by his replacement Ronan Kelleher shortly after half-time, leaving veteran prop Cian Healy holding down the fort at hooker.
Andy Farrell’s front row of Furlong, Healy and Andrew Porter performed remarkably well given the circumstances, winning two scrum penalties and conceding just one.
Ireland won the match 22-7 before beating England a week later to wrap up Furlong’s second Grand Slam.
