Lion's stalwart Furlong 'fit and ready to go' ahead of Argentina Test

Tadhg Beirne described his Ireland packmate as a big game player and leader within the squad.

Tadhg Furlong and Ellis Genge. Pic: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

The importance to the British & Irish Lions of Tadhg Furlong’s return to full fitness has been underlined by both Andy Farrell and Tadhg Beirne, with the tighthead prop veteran named on the bench to face Argentina on Friday at Aviva Stadium.

Following a season blighted with calf issues which has reduced the 32-year-old’s 2024-25 campaign to just seven appearances for Leinster and a mere 33 minutes of Test rugby with Ireland, Furlong will get the opportunity in Dublin to prove his worth to the Lions ahead of the tour to Australia having not played since May 3.

“He's fit and ready to go and train well,” Farrell said of the 2017 and 2021 Lions tourist. “And he's as keen as everyone else to get the show on the road.

"He's a Lions stalwart, isn't he? He's been there and done that. He spoke up in his first meeting that he was in with the team and said it doesn't matter what anyone has been through, there's no excuses at the weekend. So that's where he's at."

Beirne described his Ireland packmate as a big game player and leader within the squad.

“Look, he's one of the best props to do it, isn't he?” the Munster captain said. “When he's at his best, I think you probably see that.

“If anyone's asked who's one of the best tightheads in the world, who's played the game, he's certainly in the conversation every single time.

“So from the first time I played with him, Under-20s, he was a standout player. To play with him in Ireland, he's been a standout player. He always raises for the big games as well.

“He's a big game player. What people probably don't see is the leadership he has behind closed doors. He probably doesn't show that as much to the outside world, but he is a leader within the group.

“He's also an incredibly intelligent rugby player. Certainly one of the smartest front rows I've come across. That's probably why he's always been able to perform at the top level.” 

Farrell also gave positive updates on a trio of injured players, full-back Hugo Keenan, centre Huw Jones and scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park, who had missed Leinster’s URC Grand Final win over the Bulls last Saturday with a glute injury.

The Lions boss said all should be fit to face Western Force on Saturday week in their opening tour game in Perth.