Eight minutes into his post-match chat and a journalist dropped his phone. Furlong shot out a leg and cushion its fall with his left foot. Just another act of everyday soundness that marks the Wexford man out as a cut above.
Furlong has gone from cult hero to straight up hero on these shores.
He is two years into his Test career and less than seven months into his role as Ireland’s starting tight-head. So rapid has his rise been that Furlong is in every single Lions XV you will see after this year’s Six Nations championship.
He put in one hell of a shift against England and received a standing ovation from large sections of the Aviva Stadium crowd after his number came up with five minutes to go. He took a while getting off the pitch, he was that shagged.
Hero #IREvENG pic.twitter.com/bVPL2gvCAN
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) March 18, 2017
“I was trudging I’ll tell you that,” Furlong joked after Ireland’s 13-9 triumph.
“It was so confrontational and such a tough game.
“And it was a great reception, and such a great thing to get.
“So when I was coming off, I was walking off, too right!
“That was a really special moment for me, and something that I’ll reflect on hopefully in years to come. Those special moments in big games like that.”
Following his November Series exploits, Furlong was asked by an English journalist if he had even dared think of making the 2017 Lions Tour to New Zealand. Six months ago now, that was, and he answered:
“Do I see myself there at the minute? No. I think I have a long journey to go and, as I said, I’ve only started four games for Ireland, two Heineken Cup games for Leinster and it is a big, big step to be making those shouts.”
A lot has happened since last November and, for Furlong, most of it has only gone to lock him in as a British & Irish Lion.
Last night, Press Association reporter Nick Purewal asked if he felt he had done enough to make Warren Gatland’s touring squad this summer. Furlong considered before replying:
“Well what’s done is done now isn’t it?
“I’ve a few days off now and then we’re into the Champions Cup with Leinster. So you don’t get too many chances to think about ifs buts and maybes.
“If it comes it comes, if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. You only get to throw so many punches whatever way.”
Furlong threw some punches and just about every one did hefty damage.
If he can stay fit, he’s going.
