Sometimes it hurts to see others living your dream. But when it’s someone like Tadhg Furlong flying an Airbus A320, I can live with it.
n a unique crossover between sport and aviation, Irish rugby players Tadhg Furlong, Josh van der Flier, and Robbie Henshaw stepped into the cockpit to see if they could fly an Airbus A320. With guidance from Aer Lingus instructors Captain Daragh Gunning and Captain Caolan Flanagan, the players took on the challenge in a full-motion flight simulator at Simtech Aviation in Dublin.
Used to making split-second decisions under pressure on the pitch, the players now had to apply that mindset to the skies. The challenge? Take off from Dublin Airport, fly over Croke Park and the Aviva Stadium, and then land safely—all with minimal training.
The results were a mix of nerves, steady hands, and plenty of laughs. Some players showed a surprising level of control, while others got a taste of just how tricky landing a commercial airliner can be.
The highlights for me come early, with Furlong channelling his inner rally navigator and quotes from my favourite movie, Airplane, aplenty.
It’s a fun watch for rugby and aviation fans alike, offering a glimpse at how professional athletes handle pressure in a completely different environment. Safe to say, nobody will be swapping jerseys for pilot uniforms just yet, but they might have a future in flight sims if the Six Nations doesn’t work out this year.
Watch the full video below.
