Wexford trio leave a mark
Rugby wins on three fronts
IT WAS a huge weekend on the rugby scene for Wexford players.
While Tadhg Furlong enjoyed his best-ever game in an Irish jersey, it was also a weekend to savour for two players who emerged from their games in the RBS League with huge distinction.
Josh Murphy, having come on as a replacement against Glasgow the previous week, made his first full start for Leinster on Friday evening in the RDS as the province annihilated the Welsh Dragons on a 54-10 final scoreline.
With the Enniscorthy medical student managing his time on and off the field, Murphy played out the entire 80 minutes with a hugely impressive display in a Leinster team short of so many internationals, marking the occasion with a first-half try which was one of eight ran in by a rampant young home team.
Down Munster way, former Wexford Wanderers player, Jack Stafford, made his debut in their 36-19 victory over Zebre in Italy. Stafford has emerged from the Ireland Under-20 set-up, with the acadamy player coming on as a second-half replacement at scrum-half.
Stafford is fast learning his trade from the world’s best number nine, Conor Murray, and set up Conor Nash for the last Munster try in their away win.
Tadhg Furlong brought his usual fire and passion to the Irish front row in their 25-19 victory over Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, leaving the team with a one hundred per cent record from the November internationals.
Furlong brought the fight to the Argentina front row from the opening scrum when he won a penalty, and maintained that dominance throughout.
One of the main ball carriers, he made yardage with his driving runs into contact, while his tackle count for a front row was phenomenal.
It was without doubt his best display in an Irish jersey as he continued to dominate up front, leaving him one of the top players in his position in Europe right now.