Over the past decade Tadhg Furlong has arguably become one of the greatest Irish props of all time. Up there with the likes of John Hayes and Cian Healy, Furlong has shone for Leinster and Ireland and has revolutionised the prop position with his work rate, skills and agility for a someone of his size.
He's still considered as the best tighthead prop today by many and that's why his absence this Six Nations worried a lot of fans, though those fears were eased with the brilliant performances from Finlay Bealham throughout the campaign. Furlong has been out with a nagging calf injury for the majority of this season, leading him to only feature in 4 games for both club and country, totalling 200 minutes.
At 32, Tadhg Furlong is no spring chicken so long term injuries like this had many fearing the worst. However speaking to journalists Furlong said he has "good confidence in his body and the work's that gone in" ahead of Leinster's end-of-season run-in and is expected to feature in the Champions Cup Round of 16 against Harlequins at Croke Park on Saturday, which will be music to all Leinster fans' ears.
As one of Wexford's most famous sons, Tadhg Furlong revealed he has begun the process of moving back to his homeland, building a house back home. He also became a father in December, nearly exactly a year after losing his own father James, who had a huge influence on Tadhg.
He opened up about the reception he gets back home in Wexford and how every Wexford native is eager to meet him when he's out and about.
A lot of my close friends have started setting up house, starting families and are well on the road to it, Wexford is still very much home. South Wexford is kind of a tribal place. I get it the whole time- I'm going through somewhere and I hear "Tadhg, Tadhg, we're from Wexford too!" I'm like, 'Fair enough!' The lads would always be slagging me about it, but it's great.
When asked about getting recognised in his hometown, Furlong was ever his humble self and said going back to Wexford is good to get away from everything.
Ah look, I'm not trying to make out that I'm LeBron James walking around. But in my local village, yeah. It's low key. I go down there to switch off, you know? I don't go out looking for it or anything. It's more family time, chill out by the sea and go for an oul spin, that kind of craic.
All things going well Tadhg Furlong should be a key piece for Leinster as they look to finally end their Champions Cup and URC hoodoo this season. With Snyman, Barrett and Slimani all making a huge impact this season, Leinster looked primed and ready to go far in Europe again and with Dupont's injury, they are arguably the favourites to win it all now.
And if he ca. stay fit, he could make it into Andy Farrell's Lions squad and achieve the amazing feat of starting in 9 Lions Test matches in-a-row. Not too bad for a farmer's son from Wexford.
