Tadhg Furlong – Trinity Jaguar Land Rover Brand Ambassador

TADHG Furlong (24), Leinster rugby player, made his senior rugby debut for Ireland in 2015 against Wales in a warm-up game for the World Cup. He was then named in the Ireland squad to play in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. In November 2016, Furlong started for Ireland in the Autumn Internationals and gained status in their historic win against the All-Blacks in Chicago. He also played for Ireland in the 2017 Six Nations Championship. Now, having been selected for the upcoming British and Irish Lions Tour in New Zealand, it promises to be an exciting summer ahead for the Wexford prop.

1. Tell us something about you that might surprise us…

I’m good at juggling – I can juggle really well!

2. What’s your best childhood memory?

Growing up around the farm with ‘the ould fella’ – coming into the summer and being in around the fields with the animals.

3. Do you enjoy farming?

Ya I do – especially in the summer months to be out in the fresh air, it’s just you by yourself and the animals. For me, coming back down from playing rugby, it’s a really good head clearer. I like the manual work aspect of it.

4. Do you think that farming has helped you in training to become a prop?

It did in some ways probably – you certainly get a taste for hard work. It probably didn’t make me any bigger or anything but you do get a natural farmer’s strength, ya. I’d say it definitely didn’t hurt me anyway!

5. It’s your last meal on earth… what would it be?

(Without any hesitation) … Steak – ribeye, with béarnaise sauce and either thick-cut chips or dauphinois. That’d do nicely.

6. What’s your guilty pleasure?

Bread – love bread!

7. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Flight – I wouldn’t have to sit in traffic in Dublin.

8. Where were you when you found out you were picked for the Lions tour?

Actually, in Leinster – we were training that day so we were in getting some food in the canteen for lunch and it was on two big TVs in the canteen – the whole squad was in there. I was nervous but relieved to be picked but you had to be mindful as well that you got picked but there was also some very disappointed lads in the squad who didn’t get picked so you can’t really go overboard celebrating or anything. But we were all watching and the names were being called out and when our names were read out – there was 5 of us who got read out – so there was a good ould cheer and everyone just tapped you on the back and congratulated us.

Ages beforehand during the 6 Nations, they came in to the club for one evening and every single person in the squad got their photos taken and all tried on the gear, got fitted for all the suits.

9. What are you expecting from the experience of being part of the Lions tour?

Well I travelled over to the UK for the first Lions squad meeting with Seánie [O’Brien] and Johnny [Sexton] who had both been on the tour before so they were telling yarns about what it was like, how it works and stuff. We met all the lads and got to see the background staff so I just can’t wait now!

10. What was your first car?

I had an Audi A4 at 17

11. What is your favourite car?

Well I’m driving a Jaguar F-Pace at the moment. I’m the brand ambassador for Trinity Motors in Wexford and I actually love it – there’s plenty of space for me. It’s got a really nice cockpit, the seats are very comfortable and when I am loading around a heap of gear, there’s plenty of space for it. It’s perfect for driving up and down to Wexford, cruises lovely on the motorway and handles really well around the country roads as well.

12. What do you think of the new Land Rover Discovery?

Ya, I brought the Discovery out for a drive one day down around Wexford and loved it. It’s a very big spacious car, which suits me, I like. The Land Rover brand has a very prestigious tradition and the look of the cars are lovely. You never know, maybe I’ll be lucky enough to get this one next!

13. What do you have on your driving playlist?

It’s so so varied, I usually use Spotify – your daily mixes, there’s 7 of them so I just choose one of them and throw it on. It could be anything from old Irish Christy Moore stuff to new Chance the Rapper… and everything in between.

14. Who would you consider to be your biggest rugby hero / inspiration?

John Hayes and Keith Wood – watching them when I was younger.

15. Is there anything you do religiously before the start of every game?

I’m so un-superstitious… nothing really. I just make sure I’m prepared, make sure my body feels good, foam roll stretch, that’s about it. It’s more of a routine I have than superstition.

16. Tell us about a typical ‘work’ day for you…

[When in Leinster] we get up – have some breakfast – we do a test for our bodies to see if we’re stiff or sore – input all that into a computer – then usually we have a gym session – maybe one or two meetings – have a little time together before we all go out to get our bodies foam rolled and stretched out and switched on – a pitch session then, that’s about it.

17. Would you consider farming after you retire from rugby?

Well I’m the second son so it’s not my decision… But ya, I would definitely like to do it, on a part time basis maybe. I don’t know if it would be viable on a full-time basis but I think there’ll always be animals of some sort around home.

I probably don’t get to come back down home as much as I’d like these days but any time I do get home, I try to get out there – the ‘ould fella’ wouldn’t leave you long without throwing a sprong into your hand.

18. Where’s your favourite place to visit when you’re back down home in Wexford?

I like the drives, I like hopping in to the car and going for a drive, especially on a nice fine day. I love going down along Hook Head, bringing the dog for a stroll around there, it’s lovely. Or even down around Duncannon or Fethard, anywhere near the sea – I love it!