Tadhg to fore but Scots win
WHILE IRELAND’S dreams of a Triple Crown and Grand Slam disappeared in Edinburgh on Saturday, Tadhg Furlong still emerged as one of his side’s leading players.
Going down to a surprise 2722 defeat to Scotland, not even a strong second-half recovery could save the Irish side following a dismal opening 40 minutes.
Furlong laid down an early marker in the game’s opening scrum when he demolished his opposite number, an advantage he maintained for the remainder of the contest.
But in the one area that Ireland dominated there was only a total of six scrums for the entire game which was somewhat uncharacteristic for an international game.
Furlong’s prominence was not only in the scrums, as he also had twelve huge carries during his time on the pitch, while also getting in a number of tackles around the fringes.
It’s going to be a big seven weeks for the former New Ross player, but should he maintain this form he is sure to be high on Warren Gatland’s list for the Lions Tour to New Zealand this summer.
Furlong will take his journey to Rome next Saturday when they will be hoping to return to winning ways against Italy.
On a brighter note, former Gorey clubman Paul Boyle scored a try for the Under-20 team in their merited victory over Scotland on Friday.