Sky’s the limit for Furlong’s career

As if being selected in the British and Irish Lions Test front row was not confidence-lifting in itself, Tadhg Furlong received a further boost from Warren Gatland to send him into tomorrow morning’s first Test with a spring in his step.

A year on from making his first Test start for Ireland in the second Test against South Africa at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park, the tighthead prop will make another significant entrance into a storied arena when he makes his Lions Test debut at Eden Park.

It is a rapid rise for the 24-year-old Wexford man but Lions head coach Gatland believes the rising Leinster star’s career trajectory is only just taking off.