Sean O’Brien has been boxing any pad that moves, Jared Payne is chatting up a storm and the other Ulster lads have been in from day one.
Still, it is Tadhg Furlong that has made the himself known.
The English, Welsh and Scottish players in the Lions squad may be struggling with his first name but they know all about ‘the big fella’ on the field.
Furlong has only been with the Lions class of 2017 for four days but he is already a part of the jokes, bonding sessions, committees and nights on the town [Dan Cole says the Irish lads introduced them to some “culture” on their Tuesday night on the town].
The Wexford native was up in front of the press on Thursday afternoon and was sporting quite the farmer’s tan. “Had to top up before we headed,” he joked.
Furlong and George Kruis, who just happens to be a tighthead lock, have been roomies at Carton House this week. The Saracens and England man commented:
“I have [packed down with him], yeah. He’s got a big boot. I like the way he scrums.
“Classic example of teams doing different things and trying to get on the same wavelength. My bind has to be different for him than other props I’ve worked with in the past. Small things like that, ironing them out.
“Tadhg seems like an impressive figure. I’m excited about playing with him at some point.”
Furlong, for his part, jokes that himself and Kruis have been indulging in some ‘pillow talk’ and it’s not all about binds. Asked who calls the shots once it comes to the scrums, Furlong remarked:
“Yeah, I am the prop and he’s my lock – not the other way around!”
Furlong will be dicing it out with Kyle Sinckler and Dan Cole for the No.3 jersey once the squad lands in New Zealand. In fact, the auditions begun long before the squad was even selected.
Cole has been impressed with the 24-year-old’s ascent this season. He said:
“He has been brilliant for Ireland this season. He really came on the scene in that big victory over New Zealand and he has been playing phenomenally well for Leinster and Ireland.”
Furlong will be hoping to make an even deeper impression as early as possible and is likely to get a chance to impress in either the first [June 3] or second [June 7] warm-up games.
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