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Thursday

14:00

United Rugby Championship

Tadgh Furlong to stay in Ireland with new IRFU deal

By Ian Cameron

28 days ago

Ireland captain Tadhg Furlong, centre, in conversation with teammates during the Bank of Ireland Nations Series match between Ireland and Fiji at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Tadhg Furlong has committed his future to Irish rugby by signing a two-year contract extension with the IRFU, keeping him with Ireland and Leinster until the end of the 2026/27 season.

The tighthead prop had been linked with a move to French rugby but will remain a key figure for Ireland as the squad builds towards Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia. The IRFU described Furlong’s decision as an ‘invaluable’ boost for both the national team and Leinster in a statement released this morning.

Furlong, 31, has been a mainstay of the Ireland pack since making his international debut against Wales in 2015. He has earned 78 caps, helping Ireland win three Guinness Men’s Six Nations titles.

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As well as Ireland he has starred for the British and Irish Lions, featuring prominently in the 2017 and 2021 tours. His performances across provincial, national, and international levels have seen him named in the World Rugby Dream Team for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023.

“To get the chance to continue my playing career in Ireland with my home province is a dream come true,” said Furlong. “I am delighted to extend my long association with both Leinster Rugby and the IRFU for the seasons to come. Since the beginning of my career I have aimed to contribute positively in a winning environment and I believe that there are bright times to come for club and country.”

Furlong has played 149 matches for Leinster since his senior debut in 2013, winning four Pro12/Pro14 titles and the European Champions Cup.

IRFU Performance Director, David Humphreys, commented: “Tadhg is a world-class tighthead whose influence transcends his abilities on the field. Since breaking into the Leinster and Ireland set-ups he has set a new standard as a prop and his hunger to improve and perform at a consistently high level sets him apart.

“Today’s announcement underpins the IRFU’s commitment to retaining top talent and in ensuring that the best Irish players will continue to play at home. I would like to wish Tadhg well in the years to come.”

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Comments on RugbyPass

Head high tackle 19 minutes ago

Scott Robertson has to take charge of his All Blacks in 2025

Razor wants Mounga so bad he is failing at doing anything with what he has. I actually question if he is genuinely trying to make the current lot fail. Look at his game plans ( if you can find one ) for his backs! Mounga has failed for 5 years. I for 1 do not want to see Mounga back yet. Mounga signed for 3 years. Do the contract and then come back and compete for his spot like everyone else has too. Razor had 14 tests to try out guys. 4 tests ( Fiji, Japan, Italy and 2nd Bledisloe ) to be able to try anything he wanted as they were garranteed wins or trophy secured. He chose not to.

How can Mounga be "In his Prime" when he is older than Dmac? Its a con from Razor and some are falling for it, but what if Razor kills everyone to get Mounga in the seat then Mounga and the ABs had better win. It will be Razors career on the line.

38 Go to comments

Head high tackle 30 minutes ago

Scott Robertson has to take charge of his All Blacks in 2025

I think the problems are wider than 10, and Im not sure they are personel based. More coaching based. Id love to see a proven backs coach come in. Maybe a Schmidt or a Smith but cant see those guys all that keen.

38 Go to comments

Head high tackle 31 minutes ago

Scott Robertson has to take charge of his All Blacks in 2025

He has no backs plan. Constantly changes their priorities, kicking, running plans and just confuses his 9 and 10. The way he dropped Dmac for the France game was nothing but hate from Razor. Why on earth would you go back to BB at 10 after the English test where Dmac had to save the match, was confusing. Razor failed in 2024 and if something isnt improved he will be gone in 2025.He desperately needs a backs coach. Get the Chiefs backs coach. That coach seems to be able to get a backline moving. Come to think about it plenty of NPC sides had better performing backlines. Taranaki were great, BOP, Tasman.... Plenty of backs coaches got their sides performing better than Razor got the ABs backs performing.

38 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 41 minutes ago

How law changes are speeding up the game - but the scrum lags behind

"the laws are not only for pro players but also amateurs and school players and by rushing scrums lives will be at stake." I think, Rug, that is a very good point to make. And especially at amateur and schools level. That is where the greatest danger lies. Serious mismatches will occur, and that is where one would judge(I don't have any stats. at hand) the serious injuries and deaths occur. Actually at International level I can only recall two serious prop injuries in the past 40/50 years. Ben Darwin and very recently Steven Kitshoff. At this level, props have years of conditioning and technique behind them. The contests are safer, or as safe as it is poosble to be.

47 Go to comments

GP 48 minutes ago

Scott Robertson has to take charge of his All Blacks in 2025

Good points. The on going selection of Reiko at 13 is a bug bear for many. Billy Proctor did not get much of a go. Levi Aumua for Tasman and Dallas McLeod for Canterbury had fine NPC's.The latter got in the NZ 15. They will push on with the Crusaders I believe. There are others. I agree Jordie Barrett will benefit with a season with Leinster. He has a lot to offer long term.

38 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 51 minutes ago

How law changes are speeding up the game - but the scrum lags behind

Regarding the scrum, I would pick up on your point made below, Nick. "....reffing the scrum is not easy at all, prob the single most difficult area in the books." Those of us who have coached the scrum, and /or refereed, would fully agree. And I have read on the pages of rugby forums for years now the opinion of experienced international props. "I could not detect exactly what happened in that particular scrum"

Ofc the problem is heightened when the referee has not played in the pack, has never been in a scrum. It is very clear, at least to me, that many top level referees don't begin to understand the mechanics of the scrum.

I feel the laws are adequate as they stand to a great extent. The problem, as I see it, is that referees right up to top level just don't apply them in the the letter of the law or in the spirit they should .

Any significant downward pressure by a prop to cause a collapse should be penalised. For example look at the scrum clip at 54.49 mins. It is the Leinster LH who forces downwards first, then the Munster TH "pancakes" I believe the Leinster prop is the offender there.

I also think that with most of the wheels in those clips, it was Leinster who are the offenders. That can be hard to pick though in many cases. Another point is the hooker standing up. That was being penalised 3/4 years ago. So Kellaher would have been penalised back then in that first clip at 04.17.

I think the directive should be given now to referees at all levels to stop giving penalties simply because a team is being moved backwards. And the directive should be "order the team with the ball to clear it, and within 3 secs."

It would help if a change was made to remove the option to take another scrum after a penalty is awarded. Must take a tap or a kick.

47 Go to comments

Utiku Old Boy 1 hour ago

Scott Robertson has to take charge of his All Blacks in 2025

Agreed GC.

38 Go to comments

Utiku Old Boy 1 hour ago

Scott Robertson has to take charge of his All Blacks in 2025

Like others, I was underwhelmed by Razor in his first year and couldn't understand why he persisted with players who were out of form. All of a sudden, "experience" was the holy grail for selections and up-and-comers mainly got a shot through injury. I had high hopes after Foster and was disappointed in the lack of clarity in game plan and selection. I think Hamish has articulated what a lot of AB supporters feel and count this year's disappointment due to nerves from the big stage and from "too many voices" in the coaching group. I don't think Razor gets another pass if 2025 is marked by the same reticence, confusion and conservatism.

38 Go to comments

Mitch 2 hours ago

How law changes are speeding up the game - but the scrum lags behind