‘So far, so good’ for Furlong to face France

Ireland assistant coach Simon Easterby said every member of the squad was available to train on Sunday as the panel continue preparations for their Six Nations opener away to France on Thursday night.

Ireland have based themselves in Portugal before the Paris curtain-raiser to the 2026 championship (20:10 GMT) with their camp in Quinta do Lago disrupted by news of Bundee Aki’s suspension and losing Hugo Keenan to injury.

Tight-head prop Tadhg Furlong had also missed training earlier in the week thanks to an ongoing calf problem but was fit to take part in Sunday’s sessions.

The 33-year-old was replaced after 16 minutes of Leinster’s Champions Cup win on 17 January.

“We’ve been happy with the majority of the lads who have been training, and some of them have come in with little niggles, but everyone’s progressing really well and we had everyone available to train,” Easterby said.

On Furlong, Easterby added: “He got through some good work, actually. He’s progressed really well.

“I think [Sunday] was important and obviously [Monday] will be another important training day, but so far, so good.”

On the other side of the scrum, Ireland are without their three first-choice loose-heads with Andrew Porter, Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle all out through injury.

Prior to the departure of that trio, 17 players in Ireland’s 36-man panel in Portugal had 10 caps or fewer but Easterby feels newer faces have integrated well into the set-up.

“The young lads have already stepped up, they’ve connected up,” Easterby said.

“I guess one of the real strengths of this group, and it always has been for the last four or five years, has been guys coming in who will get support from the more experienced players.