There were a number of standout performers Ireland v Wales Six Nations fixture for Ireland this afternoon, but few caught the eye more than Tadhg Furlong.
The prop put in an incredible display, especially on the ball. There are few players in that position that can produce the types of passes that the Wexford native can, almost imitating a fly-half at times with some of the plays he can make.
Ireland v Wales: Furlong wows
"Tadhg Furlong - Ireland fly-half" has a nice ring to it#IREvWAL #SixNations2022 pic.twitter.com/61ed1ZKOJ7
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) February 5, 2022
🔥 What handling from Tadhg Furlong! #IREvWAL #rtesport
📱 Live updates - https://t.co/AUQCX8pxw0
📻 Listen - https://t.co/wUq1XxhF4x
📺 Watch - https://t.co/sDDUomkeEU pic.twitter.com/9t4ihhhl3s— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) February 5, 2022
Matt Williams is unsure we have ever seen a player quite like him.
Speaking on Virgin Media after Ireland v Wales, the former Leinster coach said that Tadhg Furlong's skillset is incredible for a player in his position.
"Tadhg Furlong. I have never seen a tighthead prop with the ball skills he's got. He is extraordinary."@MattRCNM on Ireland's brilliant number three. 💫
"You've got to credit Stuart Lancaster a little bit for this," says Rob Kearney.#IREvWAL #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/8QKa5CL20s— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 5, 2022
I have never seen a tighthead prop with the balls skills that he has got, I've never seen it. He is extraordinary.
Two of those tries came from short passes from him that you would expect a good out-half to give...
If he doesn't pass, he will break the line. They are just bottling up the opposition with these forwards that are threats and then going out wide.
It's really great.
He wasn't the only one impressed with the 29-year old's showing in today's Ireland v Wales fixture.
Odd half that. Feels more like a 20 point game than a 10 point one. Tough half time for Pivac and Co. But never count us Welsh out 🙏🏴
Side note: it's an absolute joke how good a rugby player Tadhg Furlong is! #IREvWAL— Tom Humphreys (@ThomosLuke) February 5, 2022
I’m developing uncomfortable feelings for Tadhg Furlong.
— Ali Donnelly (@AliDonnelly) February 5, 2022
Tadhg Furlong - comfortably the best player on the park IMO 😍
— luke fitzgerald (@lukefitz11) February 5, 2022
Tadhg Furlong is the perfect rugby player.
— Kurt (@KurtJetson) February 5, 2022
Furlong is certainly a unique player in modern rugby, with his game seemingly improving year on year.
Rob Kearney said after Ireland v Wales today that he believes that Stuart Lancaster deserves much of the credit for that.
He has definitely always had those hands. You've got to credit Stuart Lancaster a little bit on this as well.
He has developed some of these guys enormously in the last few years, their ability to be comfortable on the ball and to improve their distribution skills...
I think so (that Andy Farrell depends on provincial coaches), because that's the time when players develop themselves. It's very hard to go into an international camp and improve yourself as a player because you've got a week to go until an international test game.
Tadhg Furlong will certainly be key to Ireland's hopes of winning this championship, with next week's visit to France sure to be a pivotal fixture in deciding where the Six Nations trophy ends up in a few weeks.
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