AS HE SETS out plans for Ireland’s pack to get the better of Argentina, Fiji, South Africa and whoever they face on the final weekend of the Nations Championship this month, Paul O’Connell is relieved that he can call on the services of Tadhg Furlong.
33-year-old tighthead prop Furlong has been a key man for Ireland since breaking into the team a decade ago.
The Wexford man has 88 Ireland caps, nine Test caps for the Lions across three tours, and plenty of silverware to show for his efforts.
Furlong might not have as many highlight-reel carries these days as he did earlier in his career – the game has changed a hell of a lot in that time – but his powerful and precise skills are appreciated by coaches and team-mates alike.
So it’s no surprise that O’Connell and co. were delighted that Furlong was cleared of any wrongdoing at last week’s disciplinary hearing after he was cited for an alleged grab of Gavin Coombes’ groin in Leinster’s win over Munster.
“It’s great to have him,” said O’Connell of Furlong being available. “He’s a big leader in the group, so yeah, it’s excellent.
“We’re missing two important leaders in the group. Well, more than two, but Jack Conan in the forwards and Caelan Doris, so it would have been disappointing to have lost him.
“But tough week for him and a tough week for Gavin as well, I’m sure.”
O’Connell’s fellow Ireland assistant coach, Johnny Sexton, offered up a strong character reference for Furlong while speaking to the media ahead of last week’s disciplinary hearing.
“I can’t say too much about it obviously because the disciplinary process is ongoing, but I know Tadhg as a person, first and foremost, and I don’t think that’s something he would have done,” said Sexton.
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The fact that an Ireland coach spoke of Furlong in such terms drew ire from some quarters.
Ireland assistant coach Paul O'Connell. Ben Brady / INPHO
Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO
After it was confirmed that Furlong had been cleared of foul play, Munster released a statement stressing that Coombes still had the full backing of the province, with new interim CEO Avan Lee also flagging displeasure at the commentary prior to the hearing.
“We believe it is important that independent disciplinary proceedings are allowed to conclude without unhelpful commentary from people with a clear influence over public perception,” said Lee. “Respect for that process, and consideration for everyone directly involved, should be paramount.”
Speaking on Sunday at Ireland’s first media appointment since the Munster statement, O’Connell insisted that Sexton hadn’t intended anything bad with his words.
O’Connell also said that Coombes, who won the most recent of his three Ireland caps in 2025 against Georgia, is a player who will return to the international fold in the future.
“I don’t think Johnny would have meant anything bad by that,” said O’Connell.
“I know Gav very well. Gav has been in with us loads of times and will be in with us again in the future, and he’s a fantastic player as well. I suppose he felt something happened.
“Tadhg felt whatever happened, happened by accident, and it was just unfortunate. Coaches do have to, you know, speak up for their players and protect their players.
“Leinster have to do that. Munster have to do it. So it’s just important everyone moves on now.”
Whatever about the players involved and the particulars of the incident during Leinster’s win over Munster, there has been plenty of food for thought for coaches.
O’Connell is someone who has a particular interest, given that he is responsible for coaching Ireland’s ruck.
So he and other coaches have to consider the potential consequences of different techniques.
“You’re always trying to depower someone, trying to grab them,” said O’Connell.
“You can’t tip them over, you see. So, if you go lower here [points to his lower leg], you end up tipping [them] over.
“But if you’re higher, you can depower them. It’s the same in the maul. If you put your hands on the leg, you get penalised but if you’re higher, you’re okay.
“You’re going to come in contact with the private parts at some stage or another. And sometimes I would say it can feel pretty intentional or whatever. So again, it’s just another thing you have to be careful about, same with the ruck.
“When you’re approaching the ruck, we want to be really low on the cleanout. But you’re trying to avoid that head contact all the time.
“There’s a little bit of probably a square entry and then a tiny movement to 45 [degrees] to avoid the head. You’re trying to coach [that] discipline is really important, winning the penalty count and trying to keep 15 players in the field.
“You’re always trying to avoid these things that may lead to an accidental head collision or maybe now an accidental collision with the private parts.”
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Ireland happy to crack on with 'big leader' Furlong free to play
AS HE SETS out plans for Ireland’s pack to get the better of Argentina, Fiji, South Africa and whoever they face on the final weekend of the Nations Championship this month, Paul O’Connell is relieved that he can call on the services of Tadhg Furlong.
33-year-old tighthead prop Furlong has been a key man for Ireland since breaking into the team a decade ago.
The Wexford man has 88 Ireland caps, nine Test caps for the Lions across three tours, and plenty of silverware to show for his efforts.
Furlong might not have as many highlight-reel carries these days as he did earlier in his career – the game has changed a hell of a lot in that time – but his powerful and precise skills are appreciated by coaches and team-mates alike.
So it’s no surprise that O’Connell and co. were delighted that Furlong was cleared of any wrongdoing at last week’s disciplinary hearing after he was cited for an alleged grab of Gavin Coombes’ groin in Leinster’s win over Munster.
“It’s great to have him,” said O’Connell of Furlong being available. “He’s a big leader in the group, so yeah, it’s excellent.
“We’re missing two important leaders in the group. Well, more than two, but Jack Conan in the forwards and Caelan Doris, so it would have been disappointing to have lost him.
“But tough week for him and a tough week for Gavin as well, I’m sure.”
O’Connell’s fellow Ireland assistant coach, Johnny Sexton, offered up a strong character reference for Furlong while speaking to the media ahead of last week’s disciplinary hearing.
“I can’t say too much about it obviously because the disciplinary process is ongoing, but I know Tadhg as a person, first and foremost, and I don’t think that’s something he would have done,” said Sexton.
The fact that an Ireland coach spoke of Furlong in such terms drew ire from some quarters.
After it was confirmed that Furlong had been cleared of foul play, Munster released a statement stressing that Coombes still had the full backing of the province, with new interim CEO Avan Lee also flagging displeasure at the commentary prior to the hearing.
“We believe it is important that independent disciplinary proceedings are allowed to conclude without unhelpful commentary from people with a clear influence over public perception,” said Lee. “Respect for that process, and consideration for everyone directly involved, should be paramount.”
Speaking on Sunday at Ireland’s first media appointment since the Munster statement, O’Connell insisted that Sexton hadn’t intended anything bad with his words.
O’Connell also said that Coombes, who won the most recent of his three Ireland caps in 2025 against Georgia, is a player who will return to the international fold in the future.
“I don’t think Johnny would have meant anything bad by that,” said O’Connell.
“I know Gav very well. Gav has been in with us loads of times and will be in with us again in the future, and he’s a fantastic player as well. I suppose he felt something happened.
“Tadhg felt whatever happened, happened by accident, and it was just unfortunate. Coaches do have to, you know, speak up for their players and protect their players.
“Leinster have to do that. Munster have to do it. So it’s just important everyone moves on now.”
Whatever about the players involved and the particulars of the incident during Leinster’s win over Munster, there has been plenty of food for thought for coaches.
O’Connell is someone who has a particular interest, given that he is responsible for coaching Ireland’s ruck.
So he and other coaches have to consider the potential consequences of different techniques.
“You’re always trying to depower someone, trying to grab them,” said O’Connell.
“You can’t tip them over, you see. So, if you go lower here [points to his lower leg], you end up tipping [them] over.
“But if you’re higher, you can depower them. It’s the same in the maul. If you put your hands on the leg, you get penalised but if you’re higher, you’re okay.
“You’re going to come in contact with the private parts at some stage or another. And sometimes I would say it can feel pretty intentional or whatever. So again, it’s just another thing you have to be careful about, same with the ruck.
“When you’re approaching the ruck, we want to be really low on the cleanout. But you’re trying to avoid that head contact all the time.
“There’s a little bit of probably a square entry and then a tiny movement to 45 [degrees] to avoid the head. You’re trying to coach [that] discipline is really important, winning the penalty count and trying to keep 15 players in the field.
“You’re always trying to avoid these things that may lead to an accidental head collision or maybe now an accidental collision with the private parts.”
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Ireland Key Man Nations Championship Paul O'Connell poc