'Anyone can do it really, but the trick is to do it well' - Tadhg Furlong ready for French battle

As good as Ireland's win against New Zealand was last November, it paled in significance to the news that would follow later that month.

Whatever the final figure was that the IRFU settled on for Tadhg Furlong's new three year contract, you can be sure it was the best piece of business they did that year.

Having only signed a 12-month extension in May of last year, the Leinster tighthead was backing himself to make waves on the Lions tour that summer and become even more valuable to both club and country.

He can't have been shy of offers, many outside of this island would consider him to be the best tighthead in the world. On current form, some would suggest he's the best player in the world.

His influence on Ireland goes far beyond the traditional tighthead skills of scrummaging and lineout lifting.

His ball skills are on par with any top level back, and it's something Ireland are beginning to explore more and more, using him - as well as other forwards - as first receivers in attack to create extra time and space for Johnny Sexton.