Getting the chance to play on a third Lions tour is an experience few stars get to have, and Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong is taking advantage of it this time around.
Featuring in the 2017 tour to New Zealand and the 2021 tour to South Africa, the 78-capped Irish international revealed he has had a far more enjoyable experience in Australia so far, as the tour crossed the halfway point after the Lions over a determined ACT Brumbies, 36-24.
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With those two tours under his belt, Furlong is one of the senior members of the squad - and one of even fewer to have done a normal tour, with the 2021 tour affected by the pandemic.
"I suppose I was very young in the first one [2017]," Furlong said to reporters following the Canberra victory.
"I didn't know a whole lot. I didn't know a whole lot about myself or anything like that. I didn't enjoy it. I felt the stress for the whole time.
"I've never toured Australia. I think that's the special thing about the Lions tour as well, that it brings all the fans together."
Furlong has put forward a strong case for being included in the starting side of the first Test - featuring in all the tour matches bar the Queensland Reds.
The chance to play regularly with traditional rivals has been part of the joy for the Irish veteran, having come up against the likes of Ellis Genge and Pierre Schoeman on many occasions.
"We're all experienced props," he said.
"We're very lucky to have the experience. It's just to have those conversations together."
Furlong will get a well-earned rest as the Lions prepare to play the AUNZ XV in Adelaide - but even despite the nowfound appreciation, the Australian tour has come with it's challenges, especially with the reality of being an older player.
"My body's changed [compared to South Africa]. I have to keep on top of stuff to stay on the pitch," Furlong admitted.
"What do I actually need to do in a week to get out there on a Saturday? What's really important for me? I have to really boil that down further again. I need to feel good in the scrums.
"Just to feel right. Don't waste too much emotional energy on stuff. Just stay nice and loose and play ball."
