Ken Owens heaps praise on ‘world-class’ team-mate Tadhg Furlong

Tadhg Furlong with Ken Owens in the thick of it for British & Irish Lions against Cell C Sharks in Johannesburg, South Africa. Picture: INPHO

Ken Owens has lauded Lions front-row team-mate Tadhg Furlong ahead of Saturday’s third Test against South Africa, saying that the Irish prop is an even better player now than he was four years ago.

Owen, 34, and Furlong, 28, were both on the 2017 tour to New Zealand when the Lions drew the series with the All Blacks following a 15-15 draw in the final Test. Furlong was an ever-present at tighthead, as he has been in this series with the Springboks, and for the final game at Cape Town Stadium the Leinster and Ireland star will pack down alongside Scarlets and Wales duo Wyn Jones, at loosehead, and Owens, the hooker.