Tadhg Furlong's ability to be race-fit when it comes to the big occasions has always been an impressive feat and should stand to him in his latest comeback bid.
For a man who, more than most, bears the weight of some of the most ferocious opposing packs in the game, he has continually shown an almost unique talent of showing up when it matters.
The news that the 32-year-old will sit out the opening game of the Guinness Six Nations against England on Saturday, at least, after "suffering a recurrence of a calf strain in training" is a blow for Simon Easterby and he has been sent back to Dublin "for further assessment".
An update is expected later in the week but Irish and Leinster fans' concern is understandable, more so if the medics are not able to put their finger on exactly what the issue is.
Furlong has been dealing with calf problems since 2020 and, testament to the medics at Leinster and Ireland, has always been carefully managed, befitting of his status as the country's top pedigree tighthead, to return for the main events.
There was certainly no sign of discomfort when Furlong, who signed a contract extension until 2027 in December, was last in action.
The prop, after a three-month lay-off, got through 46 minutes in sticky conditions at the Stade Marcel Deflandre as Leinster dug out a 16-14 Champions Cup pool victory over La Rochelle just over two weeks ago.
In fact, Furlong had been involved in the play just prior to the ref awarding a scrum and was all set to pack down before being called ashore.
The sight of the Ireland front row, a sturdy 6ft and over 18 stone, jogging off indicated that his comeback was a success, and he was on track for a run of games just in time for the start of the championship.
Even for a man of Furlong's considerable experience, covering 150 Leinster games, 78 Ireland and six Lions caps, there were eyebrows raised when his name didn’t appear on the match-day squad for Leinster's game against Stormers last weekend.
Dan Sheehan and James Lowe, who had been out with knee and calf injuries, respectively, made their comebacks in that win and yesterday linked up with the Ireland panel in Portugal.
Furlong, Leo Cullen revealed last week, had been in that conversation for additional game time but he shipped out with the bulk of the national squad last week.
"He did well to get through the [La Rochelle] game. Tadhg is good to go," he said.
Furlong's calf issues go back to September 2020 when, midway through the pandemic season, he picked up an injury at Leinster training.
He missed the rescheduled Six Nation games, against Italy and France that autumn, but was fully fit to play in all five games in the championship the following spring.
The Wexford man was firing on all cylinders in 2021 and started the three Lions Tests in South Africa that summer.
However, the next setback came in January 2022 when he lasted just five minutes of Leinster’s Champions Cup pool hammering of Montpellier and was seen sporting heavy strapping on his lower left leg.
Once again, his ability to regain fitness at the right time proved impressive and he started all the Six Nations games, averaging 65 minutes per match, according to the allrugby website.
He was an ever-present as Leinster reached the Champions Cup final and for Andy Farrell’s side as they won the series in New Zealand. Furlong played 24 games that season, averaging 55 minutes per match.
A calf issue kept Furlong out of action from December 2022 until round four of the Six Nations but he was managed carefully in the run-in and started in the Champions Cup final loss to La Rochelle in Dublin.
He played 26 games last season, getting an average of 52 minutes per game; in comparison, his heavily raced Leinster and Ireland team-mate Andrew Porter more often than not goes past 70.
After being brought into the panel ahead of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series, Farrell ruled him out of the opening game against New Zealand with "a slight hamstring strain [he had] coming into camp."
The head coach, now on Lions duty, sounded hopeful Furlong, who recently became a father, would see some game time in the remaining three fixtures but in the end, he sat out the wins over Argentina, Fiji and Australia.
A Leinster bulletin at the start of December said he picked up a "hamstring injury during the Autumn Series", while Cullen mentioned the calf as an issue again prior to his comeback against La Rochelle.
Whatever the exact nature of the injury, few would bet against the former New Ross RFC forward, who made the World Rugby Dream Team in 2021, 2022 and 2023, making another successful return.
As for replacements for the next few weeks, in Finlay Bealham Easterby has an experienced deputy, who in two and a half games of the 2023 Six Nations, earned a place on the team of the tournament.
Thomas Clarkson and Jack Aungier are novices by comparison, while Cian Healy’s experience and versatility will keep him in the mix.
With the latest update from the camp suggesting they are not going to rush Furlong back quickly, those forwards, and Tom O'Toole after he finishes his suspension following the round two game against Scotland, may have significant roles to play.
