Memes and Scrums: The Social Media Storm Over Tadhg Furlong

In the wake of a viral moment from last weekend's Six Nations match, Italy prop forward Mirco Spagnolo has spoken out about the social media backlash faced by Irish counterpart Tadhg Furlong. Spagnolo expressed disappointment at the ridicule directed towards Furlong, emphasizing that the veteran player is a respected figure in rugby, undeserving of such treatment.

The incident, involving Furlong being lifted into the air during a scrum by substitute Spagnolo, became an online sensation, spawning numerous memes. Spagnolo commented on the situation during a press conference, stating that while the power of their scrum should be celebrated, it’s vital to maintain respect for legendary figures in the sport.

Italy's strong scrum was a key factor in nearly upsetting the Irish team, who narrowly won 20-13. Looking ahead, the Italians hope to leverage their scrumming strength against the reigning Six Nations champions, France, in an upcoming match in Lille, which promises to be a formidable contest.