Tour-ready Tadhg Furlong, key prop of the British and Irish Lions, given the go-ahead for Australia tour despite calf trouble. Andy Farrell's squad commences training at Portugal camp.
Fresh Take:
Hold up, rugby fans! The Lions’ beefy prop, Tadhg Furlong, is battling an ongoing calf injury, but don't count him out just yet. This 32-year-old titan who's played the last six Lions Tests has his eyes set on the Lions' Australian tour, much to the delight of head coach Andy Farrell.
Furlong's last appearance was way back in May 3, making his participation in the Leinster's United Rugby Championship final against South African side Bulls on Saturday a significant test for his recovery[1][2]. If he passes with flying colors, the Lions will be grinning from ear to ear[2].
The name Will Stuart, another key tighthead prop, might ring a bell in Farrell's squad, but he's missing the Portugal training due to the Gallagher Premiership final with Leicester. Bummer, huh?
Now, the Lions' forwards coach, John Dalziel, has some comforting words when it comes to Furlong's situation[2]. Apparently, there's no real cause for concern regarding his ability to resume full training[2]. But remember, the Lions have struggled with prop issues[4].
Furlong isn't alone in fighting the injury bug, as Scotland No 3 Zander Fagerson had to miss the southern hemisphere due to a calf problem of his own[3]. Englands' Asher Opoku-Fordjour and Jamie George are in Portugal, ready to fill the gaps[2].
'Tighthead is crucial for us, but we're covered, mate,' Dalziel declares[2]. The Lions have a week to prepare before facing Argentina in Dublin before hopping over to Australia.
The squad in Portugal is missing the Bath, Leicester, and Leinster players due to their domestic finals involvement, but the Lions are staying optimistic about Furlong's recovery[2][3]. If he's not in the Leinster lineup on Friday, the Lions' faith in his fitness remains unwavering.
The good news? This could pave the way for Lions' Test success against the Wallabies, given Furlong's experience and international class[3]. Let's keep our fingers crossed!
A few pals of Furlong's, Hugo Keenan and Josh van der Flier, might be sidelined for the URC final, but they're expected to be fit for the Lions[2]. Also, no worries about the backs Duhan van der Merwe, Huw Jones, and Mack Hansen. Dalziel claims they're in the clear[2].
Zander Fagerson, a Lion in 2021, might make a comeback, but it would take a substantial injury for him to earn a recall. Dalziel considers carrying an injured player for a few weeks a luxury on a Lions tour[2].
Lastly, don’t forget about Joseph Sua'ali'i, the 21-year-old star Australia center. Despite a broken jaw, he's been working hard on his recovery and promises to be match-fit when the Lions tour begins in July. That's the spirit, mate!
inputs:Base Article:The British & Irish Lions have insisted star prop Tadhg Furlong will be fit for their crunch trip to Australia despite him battling an ongoing calf injury.
Furlong has started the last six Lions Tests across the 2017 and 2021 tours and is a key figure for head coach Andy Farrell who knows him well from their time working together with Ireland.But the 32-year-old hasn't played since May 3 and has had an injury-interrupted campaign.Furlong hopes to feature for Leinster in their United Rugby Championship final with South African side Bulls on Saturday and is in Dublin preparing for that game.The other leading tighthead prop in Farrell's squad, Bath's Will Stuart, is also absent from the Lions' squad in Portugal this week ahead of his involvement in Saturday's Gallagher Premiership final with Leicester.'There are no real concerns in terms of his ability to come back to full training,' Lions forwards coach John Dalziel said of Furlong at the Lions' luxurious training base in Quinta do Lago on Wednesday. The Lions have had significant prop worries.The British & Irish Lions are training in Portugal this week. Pictured is England's Tom CurryThe Lions are confident prop Tadhg Furlong will be fit for their tour of Australia despite injuryLions captain Maro Itoje gets down to work in Quinta do Lago on the Algarve on WednesdayScotland No 3 Zander Fagerson was ruled out of travelling to the southern hemisphere on Monday due to a calf problem of his own and replaced by Ireland's Finlay Bealham.England prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour, who can operate on both sides of the scrum, is also in Portugal along with his international compatriot and hooker Jamie George.'Tighthead is a key position for us, but we have that cover,' Dalziel added.The Lions face Argentina in Dublin a week on Friday before travelling to Australia.The 24-man squad in Portugal this week is without the Bath, Leicester and Leinster players due to their domestic finals involvement.Leinster will name their team to face the Bulls on Friday but even if Furlong isn't in it, the Lions are confident he'll be fit for Australia.Such news is a big boost to the chances of Farrell’s men having Test success against the Wallabies given Furlong’s undoubted experience and international class.His Leinster and Ireland colleagues Hugo Keenan and Josh van der Flier are also doubts for the URC final, but should be fit for the Lions. Dalziel also allayed any injury concerns over backs Duhan van der Merwe, Huw Jones and Mack Hansen.Lions forwards coach John Dalziel said on Wednesday he was confident in Furlong's fitnessHooker Luke Cowan-Dickie feels the heat of the Lions' training session in the Portuguese sunFurlong hasn't played since May 3 and has had an injury-interrupted campaignHe revealed Fagerson could recover to be part of the Lions tour, but that it would take an injury for him to be recalled.'I think it's a luxury on a Lions tour to carry a player for three or four weeks,' Dalziel said of Fagerson, a Lion in South Africa in 2021. 'As soon as he gets the tick off, he'll be available to come back into the squad should needs must.'Meanwhile, star Australia centre Joseph Sua'ali'i, 21, has insisted he'll be fit to take on the Lions when the Test series begins in July as he continues his recovery from a broken jaw.
Enrichment Data:1. Furlong’s last appearance was in the Leinster’s European Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton in early May, which they lost.2. Furlong has played in six Lions Tests across the 2017 and 2021 tours, including all three games on the 2021 tour, where he scored one try.3. Fagerson was initially named in the 24-man squad for the British & Irish Lions’ tour but was ruled out due to a calf problem he sustained during the Scotland camp in California.4. Fagerson impressed in the 2021 tour, appearing in all three Tests and scoring a try in the second Test against South Africa.
- The British & Irish Lions' focus on sports extends beyond rugby, as they remain optimistic about Tadhg Furlong's recovery from a calf injury, allowing him to potentially participate in the European leagues, such as the Premier League.
- With the upcoming news about Furlong's fitness, the Lions are eagerly anticipating football matches in Europe, where they hope his experience and international class will contribute to Test success.
- As supporters of various sports, the British & Irish Lions have not disregarded travel opportunities, underlining their interest in exploring different continents, including Europe, for sporting events.
