'I don't think that's something he would have done': Johnny Sexton backs Tadhg Furlong

Sexton said Furlong, who is part of Ireland's squad for the Nations Championship, is 'training really well' ahead of Thursday's disciplinary hearing

Johnny Sexton: 'I know Tadhg as a person, first and foremost, and I don't think that's something he would have done.' Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Johnny Sexton has said he does not believe that Tadhg Furlong would grab an opposing player in the groin area ahead of the Leinster and Ireland tighthead’s URC disciplinary hearing on Thursday.

Furlong was cited on Monday under Law 9.27 which states: “A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship including but not limited to grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals.” 

The alleged incident occurred in the 37th minute of the URC interpro derby between Leinster and Munster at the Aviva Stadium with the referee and TMO deciding at the time that they did not have sufficient grounds to act on Munster’s allegations of foul play.

The URC statement subsequently stated that the “Citing Commissioner in charge has made a complaint about an act of foul play by the Player (Tadhg Furlong No 3) against opponent Gavin Coombes (No 8)” and it now rests with a disciplinary committee.

Furlong, who reported for duty on Monday with the rest of Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad, is in danger of missing the entire November Nations Championship Test window if it is found that he has a case to answer.

“I'm not really sure in terms of the process,” said Sexton. “I wasn't in too many disciplinary hearings myself, so I don't know. But, look, Tadhg, all I can say really is he's been training. He's been training really well.

“He started the season pretty well, and his body's good, which is always a good thing with Tadhg. When his body's good, he tends to play really well.

“In terms of the incident, I can't say too much about it obviously because the disciplinary process is ongoing. But I know Tadhg as a person, first and foremost, and I don't think that's something he would have done.

“So I just have to, I suppose, back him in that regard, but we'll see what happens with the disciplinary hearing.” 

Meanwhile, Sam Prendergast is progressing well from the wrist injury that sidelined him for that derby game and was able to do some passing drills with team physios on Tuesday, ten days out from the first November game against Argentina.

“It's really a day-by-day kind of see how it's progressing, see how it's healing up and we're very hopeful that he'll be involved,” said Sexton, Ireland’s kicking coach.