Furlong in top form again
WINNING HIS fourteenth cap, Tadhg Furlong brought a solidity to the Irish scrum that one did not expect against the powerful French eight.
Ireland went 6-0 down to two early penalties, but controlled the second-half in a 19-9 victory at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday to keep their championship hopes alive.
While the returning Johnny Sexton ran the show for the backs, Furlong was once again one of the primary carriers for his side up front.
Not often does the tight head fill this role, but every time Furlong received the ball it was ensuring forward momentum, as the French just fell away from his ferocious charges.
France may have frustrated Ireland in the scrums with their tactics, but Joe Schmidt was understandably delighted with his pack.
And the performance of Furlong, who continues to enhance his reputation, continually caught the eye. Rock-solid in the scrum, his carries were immense, while he also got in the tackles as he moved around the pitch most unlike a front row forward.
It was another huge performance from the former New Ross clubman, who enhanced his Lions prospects no end.
Now he can look forward to the Welsh challenge in the Millennium Stadium on Friday night week, when he will be playing in front of the Lions coach, Warren Gatland.