Tadhg signs off on high note
Double delight for Furlong and his Leinster colleagues
TADHG FURLONG delivered yet another masterclass as Leinster created history in adding the Guinness PRO 14 title to their Champions Cup with another massive display at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening.
Furlong, who recently signed a new central contract with Ireland and Leinster, did all his talking on the pitch, as the scrum demolished the Scarlets, with the front row of Cian Healy, Seán Cronin and Furlong also immense in the loose and at the breakdown.
In what was a fitting finale to the season, Leinster delivered a 40-32 victory, with two of the Scarlets tries arriving in the closing minutes, long after the home side’s celebrations had already begun.
With the pack totally on top, delivering quality ball at scrum and line-out, along with quick ruck ball, it allowed Johnny Sexton time to pepper the backs with high kicks, clearly unsettling the opposition in an opening half dominated by the eventual winners.
Furlong targeted his side of the scrum with his usual power. From the opening scrum he laid down a firm marker with a huge hit to exert control which he maintained right through his 60-odd minutes on the pitch.
Despite such a lengthy season, Furlong showed a really fresh pair of legs, getting in his usual quota of tackles, while he had one immense drive with ball in hand that lifted the crowd.
A lot has happened this season, but Furlong could not have envisaged such success on the international and club season at the start of the campaign.
A Grand Slam success, victories in the Autumn internationals, and now European Cup and Pro 14 league honours with a Leinster side which is without doubt one of the finest teams in Europe, attracting capactiy crowds to the Aviva for their home games along with league outings at the RDS.
When Furlong recently signed his new contract it elevated him to one of the highest-paid Irish players, but more importantly it ties him to the province for several seasons.
It has been a wonderful campaign for the former New Ross player, with the Horeswood native jetting out to Australia later this week for three international tests.
It has also turned into a great season for Enniscorthy’s Josh Murphy who has just signed his first professional contract with the province.
Murphy forced his way into the highly-competitive Leinster back row during the PRO 14 league, and such has been his progress under the coaching skills of Leo Cullen, Stuart Lancaster and John Fogarty, that he has now signed his first professional contract for the club.
This is wonderful progress for this young medical student.
Down Munster way, Robin Copeland played his last game for the province in the league semi-final defeat to Leinster. Now a free agent, there is speculation he could be on the move to Connacht.