But you're ignoring my main point. Leinster barely got away with 8 props this year Furlong got injured basically the second the internationals returned. I'm not saying he should be ahead of anyone! One injury to a prop in the 6N and we have to forfeit because of the whole needing 4 props thing. This year we had two looseheads on the bench for at least two games counting on switching Bent mid match which is a really precarious position. He's IQ and I doubt on big money at all so far someone so far down the pecking order he's a decent signing and an important one in terms of logistics.

8 props is grand for most teams but as we lose half of them for the 6N and probably stricter protocols with the WC coming up we need 9 props is my basic point.