A report has surfaced on Friday evening claiming Leinster and Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong has been offered a contract to play in France.
It comes via French rugby journalist Tanguy Scigala, who is the founder and editor of the rugby website Rugbyprime.fr.
Scigala tweeted that Top 14 side Aviron Bayonnais have begun talks with Furlong, and claimed he is open to the idea of a move abroad.
🤚🚨
L'Aviron Bayonnais a entamé des discussions avec le pilier droit de l'Irlande et du Leinster, Tadhg Furlong. Le joueur n'est pas contre l'idée d'évoluer à l'étranger pour la première fois de sa carrière qu'il a passé exclusivement en Irlande 👀@Rugby_Prime pic.twitter.com/dqqfKb72vh— Tanguy – Rugby Prime (@tanguyscigala) August 16, 2024
Here's how google translates his tweet:
Aviron Bayonnais have opened talks with Ireland and Leinster right-back Tadhg Furlong. The player is not against the idea of playing abroad for the first time in his career, which he has spent exclusively in Ireland
Tadhg Furlong to France?
It's hard to know how much credence to put into this report. Rugbyprime has a small following on social media compared to French rugby publications like Midi Olympique.
Furlong is, however, heading into the final year of his central contract with the IRFU.
This summer in South Africa he again proved how vital he is for Andy Farrell's Ireland, and it's hard to believe the IRFU would be happy to let Furlong depart Irish shores.
Bayonne finished 12th in the Top 14 last year, and were he to join Bayonne, he'd be joining the likes of Camille Lopez and Manu Tuilagi in Basque Country.
The 31-year-old has made 127 appearances in his Leinster career, winning four Pro 12 titles and one European trophy.
Furlong would join the likes of Johnny Sexton and Simon Zebo, who had plied their trade in France.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport ahead of the challenge cup loss against Toulouse Furlong believes he is still up for the demands of the modern game.
"Rugby, with me, is about trying to work as hard as I can and deliver the basics as best as I can,” he said.
"Rugby’s changed a massive amount, I would say, throughout my time playing it. People used always to think carrying was the only part of my game, where I think I’m a much, much more rounded rugby player now.
"I think the modern game demands scrum, defence, high pressure, the kicking game has come so in vogue both in attack and defence, attack, on top of ruck stuff.
"The demands of a front row forward have become more than ever. You have to be a master of all the rest before you can find yourself doing the flashy stuff."
From an Irish perspective, we will hope this isn’t true, as Furlong remaining in Ireland must happen.
