Ireland coach John Fogarty makes frank Tadhg Furlong admission

Tight-head prop Tadhg Furlong is on course to give Ireland a “massive” boost by returning for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Italy in Dublin.

The 33-year-old – a three-time tourist with the British and Irish Lions – was a major absentee for his country’s 36-14 round-one defeat to France due to a calf issue.

He completed full training on Tuesday, having not played competitively since Leinster’s Investec Champions Cup victory at Bayonne on January 17.

According to RTE Sport, Ireland scrum coach John Fogarty said of Furlong: “He’s healthy. He’s massive (for us). He’s trained now. We’ve done live scrums today. We’re doing a few more tomorrow.

“So he has completed all his bits and he was in live scrums. He did the session. It’s brilliant to have a player like him back.

“He’s played three Lions series and nine Tests in those series so he brings in all the experience and confidence and so on. So, yeah, it’s massive.”

Thomas Clarkson wore Ireland’s number three jersey in place of Furlong last Thursday in Paris, with Finlay Bealham providing backup from the bench.

Fogarty admits there is lingering frustration in the camp following a punishing evening at Stade de France.

The setback against the reigning Six Nations champions prompted further criticism of Andy Farrell’s squad on the back of comprehensive autumn defeats to New Zealand and world champions South Africa.

“I think initially there was huge disappointment in the playing group at the performance, particularly in the first half,” said Fogarty.

“I think there’s still a frustration within the group, which is fairly natural to have because they understand what they’re capable of and what they served up wasn’t that.

“And some of the reviews, we’re turning the page really on France and into Italy.

“So there’s a mix of frustration and some guys getting the opportunity to put on an Irish jersey at home in a Six Nations game.”

Italy have never won a Six Nations match in Dublin but travel to the Aviva Stadium after beginning their campaign with an 18-15 victory over Scotland in Rome.

Azzurri centre Juan Ignacio Brex will miss the game due to family reasons but full-back Ange Capuozzo could return following a broken finger.