The Lions kick off their campaign next week against Argentina in Dublin
The British & Irish Lions insist Tadhg Furlong is in contention for their first game against Argentina in Dublin next Friday, despite increasing concerns over his fitness for the upcoming tour of Australia
The tighthead prop – who has started the last six Tests for the Lions on their previous two tours – has been sidelined since early May due to a calf strain. However, despite Scotland’s Zander Fagerson withdrawing from the squad on Monday due to a calf injury of his own, the Lions remain optimistic over the 32-year-old Ireland prop.
With Ireland prop Finlay Bealham called up to replace Fagerson, Sale’s Asher Opoku-Fordjour has also been brought to Portugal for their training camp as tighthead Will Stuart prepares for Bath’s Premiership final against Leicester.
Furlong’s club, Leinster, are in United Rugby Championship final action this weekend against the Bulls at Croke Park, before the dozen of tourists from the Irish province meet up with the squad next week ahead of the clash with Argentina.
Lions forwards coach John Dalziel offered up an encouraging update on Furlong on Wednesday, suggesting Furlong could be involved in the URC final.
“Tadhg has the availability to be able to train and play this week with Leinster,” he said.
“There are no real concerns in terms of his ability to come back to full training. Tadhg had returned to play and was playing.
“He’s now being modified in terms of [being] off-feet in the last few weeks. We’ve got no real concerns [around] when comes back to full training and playing.
“We will put our best team and our best foot forward for Argentina, with everybody available the squad will be together on Sunday, everybody in after the finals, then we will select and prepare that team that week.
“We will get some structures in place here, some language and some learning with the wider group, then we will arrive back in Dublin on Sunday with everyone and prepare for Argentina.”
The Lions travelled to their training camp in Quinta do Lago without 16 of their squad who are still involved with their clubs.
As well as Leinster’s dozen, Bath pair Stuart and Finn Russell are preparing for a Premiership final against Ollie Chessum’s Leicester, while Blair Kinghorn is still on Top 14 duty with Toulouse.
Both Dalziel and Lions head coach Andy Farrell have admitted there is a possibility that players involved in club finals this weekend could feature against Argentina – despite the six-day turnaround.
“At this moment in time, who quite knows, but the nature of a Lions tour is players have got to back up three days later, whether that’s starting or on the bench,” Farrell told Sky Sports.
“So playing against Argentina on Friday night, that’s a six-day turnaround from the finals, so we might need one or two. We’ll see how we go.”
The Lions have taken Sale youngster Opoku-Fordjour to Portugal, with Farrell praising the tighthead’s “youth and vibrance”.
Realistically, if there are any other tighthead injuries, he would be the next cab off the rank.
However, Dalziel opened the door for Fagerson to re-join the squad once he recovered from his injury.
The prop, who toured with the Lions in South Africa four years ago, was ruled out earlier this week – with Farrell calling it “heartbreaking”.
However, Dalziel said he could return in a matter of weeks and join the squad in Australia.
“He’ll become available at the right time and when he’s ready should we need him again,” he said. “His injury isn’t long term.
“I think it’s three or four weeks. It’s a setback. He’s looking to try and get through that. As soon as he gets the tick off, he’ll be available to come back into the squad should needs must.”
