As he joins an elite group of players on Saturday, how much has Tadhg Furlong made from The Lions?
Tadhg Furlong will join a rarefied group this weekend when he makes his ninth consecutive start for the British and Irish Lions in test matches.
Only Wales lock Alun-Wyn Jones has made 9 Lions test appearances in a row in the professional era.
Furlong, 32, has returned from injury to reassert his place as the premier tight-head prop of the four nations that make up the Lions.
In starting every test match on three consecutive tours since 2017, the Wexford man will become one of the ten most capped players for the Lions.
Former Ireland second row Willie John McBride leads the way with 17 caps, and he is joined in the top ten by fellow Irishmen Mike Gibson (12), Tony O'Reilly (ten) and Syd Millar (nine).
“It’s amazing, and it’s been well documented how much he loves playing for the Lions,” said Lions head coach Andy Farrell when announcing the team.
Farrell has worked with Furlong for nearly 10 years in the Ireland setup as forwards coach and head coach.
“It isn’t just the performances that have been through the roof. It’s also his manner on a Lions tour as well. I’ve never seen him in such good spirits, so he’s ready to go again.”
“He would tell you that he’s had to adapt his training and how he looks after himself and understand his body a lot more over the last couple of years,” Farrell continued.
“But to be honest, he’s unbelievably diligent in all of that. The nature of a tour like this works in somebody like Tadhg’s favour because when you’ve not got a normal week, which is a seven-day process of warming up and warming down and having to do all sorts of stuff to tick boxes, you get out of your own way on a tour like this.
"After all, you have to just roll with the punches of what’s thrown in front of you.”
Under a profit-sharing deal struck by player representatives, Lions tourists are reportedly due to be paid £100,000 (€117,000) for the Australia tour, an increase of 25 per cent from the £80,000 fee paid on the 2017 tour to New Zealand.
The agreement will see the Lions decide how best to distribute their share of profits instead of the traditional payment model of a tour fee with a match bonus.
The 2021 Lions were paid £48,000 each as revenues declined due to Covid, with all matches played behind closed doors. The players missed out on a £10,000 series win bonus after losing the South Africa series 2-1.
The 2017 Lions tour generated £7.8m from revenue of £22.1m, and revenues declined to £20.1m during the pandemic-affected 2021 tour, although profit rose to £8.2m, according to the Daily Telegraph.
In all, Furlong is estimated to have made £228,000 (€264,000) for his illustrious Lions career.
The veteran Leinster and Ireland front-rower is contracted to the IRFU until the end of the 2026/27 season after signing a two-year extension last December.
Furlong is reportedly paid an annual salary of €650,000, reflecting his status as a cornerstone of Farrell's team as they build towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup
“To get the chance to continue my playing career in Ireland with my home province is a dream come true. I am delighted to extend my long association with both Leinster Rugby and the IRFU for the seasons to come," he said at the time.
Tadhg Furlong of the British & Irish Lions runs with the ball during the second test of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 26, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Pic: David Rogers/Getty Images)
"Since the beginning of my career, I have aimed to contribute positively in a winning environment and I believe that there are bright times to come for club and country.”
Furlong owns Wexford-registered firm, TMF3 Media, which is an unlimited company, meaning it doesn't have to publish annual accounts.
Photo: Tadhg Furlong. (Pic: David Rogers/Getty Images)
