Six Nations Championship: “So far, so good” for Furlong to face France, says Ireland assistant Simon Easterby

Ireland assistant coach Simon Easterby said every member of the squad was available for training on Sunday as the committee continues preparations for their opening Six Nations match against France on Thursday night.

Ireland are settled in Portugal ahead of the start of Paris 2026 (20:10 GMT) with their camp in Quinta do Lago disrupted by news of Bondi Ake’s suspension and the loss of Hugo Keenan to injury.

Tadhg Furlong also missed training earlier in the week due to an ongoing calf problem but was fit to take part in Sunday’s sessions.

The 33-year-old was substituted 16 minutes after Leinster won the European Champions Cup on January 17.

Easterby said: “We have been happy with the majority of players who have trained, some have come in with a bit of inconvenience, but everyone is progressing well and we have had everyone available for training.”

“He did some good work actually,” Easterby added in the furlong. “He progressed really well.

“I guess [Sunday] It was clearly important [Monday] “It will be another important training day, but so far, so good.”

On the other side of the game, Ireland are missing their three key players with Andrew Porter, Paddy McCarthy and Jack Puel all out through injury.

Connacht’s 20-year-old Billy Bohan, with just five caps under his belt, has been called up to the squad as cover but, along with Leinster full-back Ciaran Frawley and Ulster number eight Bryn Ward, has returned to Dublin to join the Irish A team that meets their English counterparts in Cork on Friday evening.