THE BEST OF 3s…
TADHG FURLONG is on course to potentially become Ireland’s greatest ever tighthead. The 25-year-old from Co Wexford got his first look-in with Ireland at a far younger age than his two immediate predecessors, Mike Ross and John Hayes, so the expectation is that he will go on to become his country’s most capped No3 ever.
However, the career of Paul Wallace, Ireland’s tighthead when the sport turned professional in 1995, shouldn’t be lost sight of. He was first capped at 23 and played for a Lions Test winning side two years later, but his career was over at the age of 30 in 2002, injuries forcing him into early retirement.
TADHG FURLONG
Ireland debut: 2015 at the age of 22 Test caps: 22 (11 starts +8 as replacement with Ireland, 3 with 2017 Lions) Win ratio: 54.5% (11 wins)
MIKE ROSS
Ireland debut: 2009 at the age of 29 Test caps: 61 (59+2 with Ireland) Win ratio: 62.3% (37 wins)
JOHN HAYES
Ireland debut: 2000 at the age of 27 Test caps: 107 (99+6 with Ireland, 1+1 with 2005 & 2009 Lions) Win ratio: 64.0% (67 wins)
PAUL WALLACE
Ireland debut: 1995 at the age of 23 Test caps: 48 (35+10 with Ireland, 3 with 1997 Lions) Win ratio: 44.8% (21 wins)