Tadhg Furlong has not been around the professional rugby scene for a long time but he has already made his mark.
The Wexford native played just his 12th game for Ireland, against Scotland, and he was one of a handful of players that emerged with credit from the chastening 27-22 loss.
Furlong gave opposite number Allan Dell a torrid time in the scrum and made his presence felt in the loose. It was another performance that adds to the widespread belief that, fitness allowing, Furlong will be named in Warren Gatland's British & Irish Lions squad.
Despite the prop's rapid rise from Mike Ross' deputy at Leinster to Ireland's starting tight-head, Furlong is not getting ahead of himself.
We have already heard how the 24-year-old showed up to his old school, Good Counsel, to present them with a jersey he had been given following the 40-29 victory over New Zealand in Chicago.
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Aidan O'Brien, deputy principal at the Wexford secondary school, shared another brilliant Furlong story that shows how much of a connection he retains to his old student digs. He said:
"Last month, we were playing in Donnybrook. We were warming up on the back pitch in Donnybrook and we were just about to come in for the final few minutes before the game and Tadhg wanders along. As the lads are jogging back in, he’s there, 'Go on the Counsel, go on the Counsel!'.
"He then came into the dressing room and said, ‘Look it, I’m really sorry I can’t hang round but I’m scheduled for a massage’."
"The very fact that he would take the trouble to come over to Donnybrook, out of his way and again unannounced gives everybody a tremendous lift.
"He’s someone who gives them a sense of pride, he has been in the same school as them. That he would be there, take the trouble to come along and give them a bit of a gee-up, it was a fantastic boost to them."
It is great to hear about Furlong taking the time out from his busy provincial and international duties to remind students from his old school he is thinking of them, and to show just where hard, hard work can get you.
