Tommy Freeman has handed the British & Irish Lions a major injury doubt before their third Test against Australia. The 24-year-old winger, who has started the first two Tests, sat out the captain’s run on Friday and it is understood he is struggling with a back injury. The Lions are targeting a first clean sweep since 1927 and a first unbeaten series since 1974.
On Friday the Lions were adamant that Freeman would be fit to play in Sydney, claiming his absence was down to his workload being managed. It is understood, however, that contingency plans have been drawn up that could see Huw Jones moved to the wing and Owen Farrell coming into the starting XV.
There were question marks over Furlong’s fitness at the start of the tour after he arrived into camp in June with no game time since early May due to a calf problem. “It wasn’t a big enough injury to warrant [thinking I wouldn’t make it],” he added. “It was like, we need to get back and play here, lads, because it’s on your calendar. You want it so badly. I think the cruel thing is when you go on one, you just want to go on more. You go on that first one and you take it all in.
“The second one, you want to perform and the third one you just want to appreciate it all because you don’t want it to pass you by. There was a stage this season where we were having conversations with medical staff. It’s like, what is going on here? We need to nip this stuff in the bud.”
While Furlong forms part of an unchanged all Leinster and Ireland front row, Australia have changed two-thirds of theirs with Taniela Tupou coming in at tighthead and Billy Pollard promoted to the No 2 jersey after a late injury to Dave Porecki. Tupou nicknamed “the Tongan Thor” has endured a difficult season in Super Rugby and will head to Racing 92 next season but Furlong is only too aware of the threat posed by the 23-stone prop.
“I first came across him in 2018, he was a young fella breaking through,” said Furlong. “He was coming off the bench for Australia. He is what he says in the tin. He’s incredibly powerful. He’s dangerous in the scrum. Very aggressive. He poses his own threats around the park. He’s a good carrier, explosive.”
