Update on Tadhg Furlong's Lions tour hopes - Andy Farrell on Finlay Bealham call
Tadhg Furlong is on course for Lions action after fears that his tour might be over before it began were dismissed by forwards coach John Dalziel.
The Leinster and Ireland tighthead has started the last nine Lions Tests over three tours but hasn't played for his province since early May, when he suffered another calf injury set-back.
Furlong has only started five games in nine appearances in total this season and is not expected to be named in Leinster's matchday squad for Saturday's URC Grand Final clash with the Bulls at Croke Park.
'Tadhg has the availability to be able to train and play this week with Leinster,' said Dalziel said from the Lions' Portuguese training base. 'There are no real concerns in terms of his ability to come back to full training.
"Tadhg had returned to play and was playing. He's now being modified in terms of [being] off-feet in the last few weeks. We've got no real concerns (around) when comes back to full training and playing.
'We will put our best team and our best foot forward for Argentina, with everybody available the squad will be together on Sunday, everybody in after the finals, then we will select and prepare that team that week.
"We will get some structures in place here, some language and some learning with the wider group, then we will arrive back in Dublin on Sunday with everyone and prepare for Argentina.'
Dalziel also provided a positive update on Connacht and Ireland winger Mack Hansen, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury, but who could come into contention for Friday week's opening Lions warm-up against the Pumas.
Meanwhile, Lions head coach Andy Farrell admits it was an emotional phone call to Finlay Bealham to inform the Connacht tighthead that he was being called into the squad for the Australia tour following Zander Ferguson's withdrawal through injury.
'He was certainly right up there in the conversation from the very start as well, and he would have been disappointed not to make the group," said Farrell.
'So we just know he will be a great fit for the group going forward. He is the only conversation that I was able to have because of the way we did the squad announcement.
'By giving him a phone call and telling him he was selected within the squad, unfortunately for Zander, but it was one of the best phone conversations I have ever had. The emotion that went through the phone actually welled me up. It was great to be able to do that.'
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