Furlong: I never even dreamed of captaining Ireland

Tadhg Furlong will take over the Irish captaincy for this weekend's visit of Fiji to the Aviva Stadium, and the Leinster tighthead says it's something he never believed would be possible.

Head coach Andy Farrell is expected to make a number of changes to his side following last weekend's win against South Africa, with usual captain Johnny Sexton one of several frontline players to be rested.

It had been expected that Furlong would also sit out the visit of the Fijians, with the prop having suffered an ankle injury at the weekend, but he's shaken off that knock to retain his place in the squad, as he looks to build some more gametime.

It was also confirmed this afternoon that the Wexford native will captain Ireland for the very first time on what will be his 62nd cap.

And Furlong, who turns 30 next Monday, says he never expected to be handed the honour.

"Never even thought of it," he said of the appointment.

"I never even put the idea… You know when you dream as a young fella, you want to play for Ireland, you want to play for Leinster, you want to play for the Lions, I never even dreamed of captaining Ireland."

When pressed about what his dreams were as child, the tighthead stayed very much on brand.

"Spuds, gravy, the mother's Sunday roast," he laughed.

The role is clearly no joke for him though. Having established himself as arguably the best in his position in the world in recent seasons, he's recently joined the squad's leadership group alongside the likes of Sexton and Peter O'Mahony.

And he says it's been an eye-opening experience.

"I suppose there was a time where players were about doing their jobs, putting the blinkers on and getting about with their business.

"People have changed, rugby has changed, in terms of more