5 Facts on Tadhg Furlong

Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong, who returned to action earlier this year after missing nearly 12 months through injury, was one of Ireland's standout players as they finished third in the Six Nations.

The 28-year-old's performances earned him a place in Warren Gatland's British and Irish Lions squad to tour South Africa -- he played all three Tests on the Lions' 2017 tour of New Zealand.

Here are a few facts on the British & Irish Lion #818:

1. Nickname

Back when he was playing in the Junior World Cup for Ireland, Furlong was dubbed "The Mayor of Wexford" by U-20 coach Mike Ruddock. In an interview with David Walsh of the Sunday Times, Ruddock explained that this didn't last long, as Furlong brought up the fact that he wasn't a fan of the moniker.

"At our video reviews, I would give an award for 'tackle of the game'. After our first game at the World Cup I called out the winner. 'The Mayor of Wexford, Tadhg Furlong.' Next game, it's the same, the Mayor of Wexford wins the same award." via sportsjoe

2. Farmer

Furlong grew up on a farm and he has been restoring it in his downtime from rugby.

He told The Irish Times: “We’ve an old farmhouse and I’d say we moved out of there when I was three or four. It kind of went into ruin, so I decided, ‘Sure look, what else am I at?’ So me and the oul’ fella are just cleaning it out, and we might make something of it.”

3. Potato Addict

 Leinster nutritionist Daniel Davey once said Furlong had a potato addiction.

He told Balls.ie: “Tadhg Furlong loves his potatoes. So he might be having six potatoes or ten potatoes (a day). So then, I have to say ‘Tadhg, you’re having too many potatoes’.

“You can do that the day of a game because potatoes are a good source of energy, but days you’re sitting on the couch you’re not going to need ten spuds. He has a kind of potato addiction.”

Irish rugby player Tadhg Furlong addicted to the most Irish thing ever: Potatoes https://t.co/I8Vj8dntBR pic.twitter.com/EUjAC6hSHC

— Stuff (@NZStuff) May 4, 2018

4. Most minutes

Tadhg Furlong had less than 20 Ireland caps when he was selected by Warren Gatland for the 2017 British & Irish Lions Tour to New Zealand – but such was the young prop’s quality, he started every Test.  

He finished the tour having played the most minutes (178) of any prop across the three Tests.

5. Highest paid list

According to a Ruck.co.uk compilation of the best-earning Lions players, Furlong is ranked seventh with an estimated R10.6million ($US 779k) income, while Wales and Lions skipper Alun Wyn Jones sits on number 8 on the list with his R10m ($735k) payday.