Updated May 12th 2021, 8:34 AM
TADHG FURLONG ENTERS the screen, sits down and pops in his wireless earphones. There’s plenty to discuss.
For a start, there is his remarkably smooth return to rugby following a lengthy spell out of action. In late January Furlong played his first competitive game for 11 months. A little over three months later, he was a shoe-in for the Lions.
Furlong is on course to travel to South Africa as one of the first names on the teamsheet, a stand-out player in one of the most important positions on any team.
His value to a squad is evident, and after months of negotiations Furlong finally put his signature to a new contract with the IRFU this week, with the deal confirmed on Monday.
The initial sense of relief which met that news quickly subsided upon the realisation it was just a one-year contract. Furlong is a player both Ireland and Leinster would love to tie down long term.
So, why didn’t they?
“I suppose the one-year deal probably suited me best for a number of reasons really,” Furlong explains.
“I’m very happy where I am. I signed (for) a year because it suited me more than anything really, and we’ll see where we are again next year.”
While Furlong was reluctant to get into the ins and outs of the negotiations, or even the options that may have been available overseas – “I like to think of myself as a private person in that respect” – he did confirm the IRFU had proposed a longer contract than the one-year extension eventually agreed.
For Ireland and Leinster supporters, the concern is that this time next year Furlong will be considering his options again and could yet be tempted away.
The player will hope he finds himself in a position to agree improved terms next season. That will involve many things outside of his control – the return of fans to stadiums and the money that pumps into the game, remaining injury free, staying in form.
“Well, a lot of the lads have signed one-year deals in the current term, and it’s no different for them either, you know? I suppose there is the element of risk in it from my point of view in terms of injury or selection or performance, but you just have to get on with it, don’t you? If you start thinking like that (what may go against you), you’re in trouble.”
Furlong enjoyed a strong Six Nations with Ireland. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
While Furlong can be happy with his own performances, both Ireland and Leinster will look back on their seasons with regret. Ireland overcame a disappointing start to the Six Nations to secure a third place finish, while Leinster were outmuscled by La Rochelle in the last four of the Champions Cup.
However Furlong makes it clear he has no concerns surrounding the path either team are on.
“We’re there or thereabouts every year,” he says.
“Obviously, we had a disappointing Six Nations pre-World Cup, disappointing World Cup. But you get a sense of it. We’re there or thereabouts every year with Leinster. We’re competing, certainly in the Pro14 and at the business end of the Champions Cup and that’s where you want to be really.
“With Ireland, I think we’re getting there. I genuinely do. I have deep belief in that.”
With just 10 games under his belt this season for club and country, Furlong has already displayed signs of the world class talent who played such an important role for Ireland and Leinster in the years leading up to the 2019 World Cup.
A combination of injury issues and a global health pandemic wrecked his progress in 2020, but since coming back into the fold earlier this year there has been no evidence to suggest he has suffered from his time out of the game.
At 28, his prime years are still ahead of him. He’ll only be 30 come the next World Cup. A second Lions tour awaits this summer, with time on his side for a third. There is plenty of time to become an even greater force on the pitch, and that is what drives Furlong.
“I suppose it’s not being happy, isn’t it? I think that’s the theme of everything really, not being happy and trying to get better,” he continues.
‘Like, the game is moving just as quick as players are moving and players are pushing through, so I suppose it’s just trying to, not stay ahead of the curve, but trying to adapt and keep bringing on those fresh challenges for myself.
“Before I was injured I thought I was in a really good place, playing those first three games of the (2020) Six Nations, some of the Champions Cup games for Leinster, post-World Cup, I thought I had myself in a good place.
“There’s a few bits there that I want to bring back into my game. A little bit of defensive stuff, how much pressure can I put on opposition rucks, staying in the moment if there is an opportunity, not missing it, etc… So there’s loads of stuff there.”
Furlong is relaxed when the conversation turns to this summer’s Lions tour to South Africa, but admits he was “bricking it” when he tuned in to watch the squad announcement last Thursday.
Not long after the lucky few had learned their fate, the texts started landing. Some of those who missed out were among the first to get in touch, with Johnny Sexton, James Ryan and Garry Ringrose all firing Furlong a message of congratulations.
“I felt for the boys because I know they put so much into it,” he says.
