Tadhg Furlong nickname: the Leinster prop had a nickname when in the Ireland under-20s that he chose himself; a suitable and fairly amusing one, at that.
Tadhg Furlong is fast becoming one of our favourite sportspeople. As well as a tendency for giving hilarious interviews, he revealed that he had one of the best nicknames around when he told Second Captains that teammates started calling him 'Rikishi' after the big Samoan wrestler. He also has a GAA background, which always helps when it comes to endearing oneself to Irish sports fans.
But on the subject of nicknames it would appear that Rikishi is not the only nickname that Furlong has had over the years. David Walsh has interviewed the Wexford man for today's Sunday Times and as part of his background he chatted to Mike Ruddock, who coached Furlong as an under-20 international.
Ruddock told Walsh a tale that demonstrates both wit and self-confidence from the 24-year-old prop.
At our video reviews, I would give an award for 'tackle of the game'. After our first game at the World Cup, I called out the winner. 'The Mayor of Wexford, Tadhg Furlong.' Next game, it's the same, the Mayor of Wexford wins the same award. Third game, he gets it again. 'The Mayor of Wexford,' I announce.
And he says, 'Mike, I don't like 'The-Mayor-Of-Wexford' bit.' I had nicknames for a lot of the lads so I asked, 'Okay, what should I call you?'
And he said, 'Call me 'The Jukebox'.
I said, 'Why 'The Jukebox'?'
And he said, 'Because the hits keep coming.'
He was funny, not boastful, but he knew he could do it. That was the thing.
Brilliant.
Make sure and pick up a copy of the Sunday Times to read the full interview with Furlong. It's a fine read about a fascinating character and a player who may well be in Warren Gatland's Lions plans come summertime.
