'Just play footy like we normally do' - JGP expects Russell partnership to flourish for Lions
JAMISON GIBSON-PARK BELIEVES his half-back alliance with Finn Russell will develop quickly as the British and Irish Lions prepare to unleash the much-hyped combination for the first time.
Gibson-Park and Russell form a creative axis for Wednesday's clash against the Queensland Reds after the Ireland scrum-half was given the green light to make his comeback from a glute injury.
As the pre-tour favourites to start the Test series against Australia in the number nine and 10 jerseys, expectations are high for the partnership even if they will have been limited to a single training session together ahead of the Brisbane showdown.
In a sign of the urgency to deploy them in tandem, especially after Tomos Williams was ruled out of the tour by a hamstring injury, Russell will be starting his second game in five days.
Andy Farrell has urged caution over anticipation levels, stating they will be 'all singing, all dancing everything going to plan, but that won't be the case', but the ultimate fantasy pairing in British and Irish rugby is ready to shine.
Advertisement
'We know each other pretty well – we have played against each other enough,' Gibson-Park said ahead of his first outing with the Scotland fly-half.
'Myself and Finn have already had conversations and hopefully we don't have to change too much up, just play footy like we normally do.
'For all the stuff you see of Finn and his ability to break a game open, he's pretty calculated in the way he manages the game as well, so it will make my job easier hopefully.
'There is a gelling period with any nine and 10 combination. When you are largely in charge of driving the game there's going to be a bit of a feeling out period, but it has been good and hopefully we can see it out there on Wednesday.'
Russell arrived into Lions camp having piloted Bath to the Gallagher Premiership title and Gibson-Park has since got to know a former rival who is more studious than his joyful on-field persona suggests.
'Finn's a hugely impressive player. Every team he is in, he has a huge impact,' he said.
'He plays the game with a smile on his face and that's refreshing to see sometimes. But you guys don't see him in the meeting rooms, so there is a serious side to him.
Related Reads
Havili, Frizell among All Blacks in Australia-NZ XV to face Lions
Tomos Williams ruled out of Lions tour as Farrell names side to face Reds
Lions boss Farrell hails McCarthy, Hansen after Australian tour opener
'He understands the impact he can have on a team and that's pretty important here.'
Farrell says the duo have found ways to make up for their lack of game time together.
'They understand one another and understood each other's traits even before they got on the plane because that is what players do,' he said.
'They look out for how the best do things. They are two characters who want to see the game from similar eyes as far as where space is.
'They have attacking mindsets but they both know how important game control is.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Extra.ie
an hour ago
- Extra.ie
Queensland Reds game is make-or-break for Porter and Keenan's Lions chances
It's now just 18 days until the first Test against the Wallabies and time is running out for players to stake their claim to feature in the series opener in Brisbane on July 19. Andy Farrell rung the changes on Monday morning, making 14 changes to the side which made light work of Western Force in the first tour game on Australian soil. Finn Russell is the only player to be retained. It's an instructive selection from the Lions head coach. It probably wasn't in the initial plan for the Scot to start back-to-back games so early on tour, but Jamison Gibson-Park's hamstring injury has changed the picture. Finn Russell is the only player to be retained. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan The Leinster scrum-half admitted himself that the injury, which ruled him out of the URC Grand Final triumph against the Bulls last month, was far from a niggle and it could have put Gibson-Park's entire tour in jeopardy. Now, he is starting alongside Russell against Queensland Reds at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium and that half-back pairing must now be short odds to start en bloc against Australia at the same venue in Brisbane later this month. In truth, both were frontrunners before this tour. Jamison Gibson-Park will start alongside Finn Russell. Pic: INPHO/Billy Stickland Russell, despite some well-documented disciplinary issues in the past, is a more mature and rounded player, on and off the field, these days. The fact that Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend appointed him as a vice captain last year spoke volumes, given how fractured that relationship had been in the past. Russell has only recently guided Bath to a first English Premiership title in 29 years. He's well on the way to becoming a Test centurion for his country. Fin Smith, his nearest rival on tour, is only 23 and has just 11 Test caps to his name. Marcus Smith, meanwhile, looks miles back in this No10 pecking order. Russell looks nailed-on for the Test series and a strong performance on Wednesday morning will only cement that status. Marcus Smith looks miles back in this No10 pecking order. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan This is Gibson-Park's first appearance in a Lions shirt but the 33-year-old already looks assured of a starting berth against the Wallabies. His Test credentials were only strengthened when Tomos Williams was ruled out of the tour with a hamstring injury. The Cardiff Blues scrum-half put in an eye-catching, two-try shift in Perth. Alas, his campaign is already done and dusted. Williams was making his Lions bow at age 30 and it's already over. He'll be 34 when the Lions tour New Zealand in 2029. That's a tough break for the Welshman. Gibson-Park would have been feeling a bit of heat from Williams before injury intervened. Alex Mitchell is a class act but the Northampton Saints scrum-half was one of several players who fluffed their lines against the Pumas in Dublin. Mitchell needs a massive game against the Waratahs on Saturday to force the issue but Farrell's mind may already be made up by then. No doubt, he is excited about the prospect of Gibson-Park and Russell working in tandem. Both like to play the game at pace. Both come alive when things get messy and unstructured. They are both instinctive, heads-up players who are thinking a few seconds quicker then everyone else on the pitch. Mitchell needs a massive game against the Waratahs on Saturday to force the issue but Farrell's mind may already be made up by then. Pic: INPHO/Billy Stickland Gibson-Park and Russell will be great fun to watch. Farrell will want to see plenty of pragmatism, mind you. Yes, this Lions team clearly wants to play with tempo and ambition. But the tourists will need to play the percentages as well. If the Lions half backs can mix the highlights reel stuff with savvy game management, they are locked in to face Joe Schmidt's side in the coming weeks. Jack Conan is another Irish candidate who can cement his Test credentials with a big showing. This is the Leinster No8's first outing on tour. Conan has not been a guaranteed starter in Ireland's ranks in recent seasons. Indeed, it wasn't the case for long stretches of Leinster's campaign either, with Ryan Baird and Max Deegan getting the nod ahead of their esteemed fellow backrower ahead of a lot of big Champions Cup games. Jack Conan is another Irish candidate who can cement his Test credentials with a big showing. Pic: INPHO/Billy Sitckland But Conan has timed his run perfectly. Caelan Doris' injury opened up a slot in the Leinster pack and the Bray native seized his opportunity. The manner with which he guided the province to URC glory in the wake of the Northampton debacle spoke volumes. Conan has a lot of credit in the bank with Farrell and, crucially, he is the only specialist No8 in this squad. He is a leader and, having started all three Tests on the last tour of South Africa in 2021, Conan has been there and done it. This current crop of Lions forwards isn't lacking raw talent but perhaps there is a lack of genuine on-field leaders? Conan fits that bill. A big night in Brisbane and a fourth consecutive Lions Test start is in the offing. This is a big night for Hugo Keenan, too. The Leinster full-back has lost a bit of momentum due to a calf injury. This will be his first competitive appearance since Leinster's URC quarter-final win against Scarlets on May 31. Keenan's fitness is renowned and he will hit the ground running tomorrow. He has long been a favourite of Farrell. Hugo Keenan has long been a favourite of Farrell. Pic: INPHO/Billy Stickland However, the classy Elliot Daly has not put a foot wrong on tour while Blair Kinghorn arrived into camp last night following his Top 14-title winning exploits with Toulouse. The Scotland full-back has a bit of ground to make up as well, but Kinghorn, with his size, passing skills and aerial ability, brings such an attacking threat. Keenan needs to lay down a maker. Same goes for Andrew Porter. The Leinster loosehead knows he's in a battle with Ellis Genge at the moment. The 29-year-old has such a commanding presence for club and country, regularly getting through 70-minute shifts. Porter is by far and away the best loosehead in Ireland. It's been that case for a long time. Andrew Porter tackles Western Force's Reed Prinsep. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan In Genge, Porter has a real rival in this Lions setup. The fiery Bristol and England prop is a serious operator and, to many observers, is a more effective scrummager than his Irish rival. Porter, for all destructive abilities and remarkable stamina, has fallen foul of referees when it comes to the scrum on a few notable occasions. Considering that the Lions management will feel that the set-piece is the place where they can really squeeze the Wallabies, that's a definite concern. A powerful scrummaging performance against the Reds is paramount for Porter. Because time is running out to impress. Some Irish representatives are in pole position but others are lagging behind.
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Sligo Rovers land Bohs ace on loan, Shamrock Rovers terminate one player deal
James McManus says he won't look back for the rest of the season after joining Sligo Rovers on loan from Bohemians. The 20-year-old is still held in high regard by the third-placed Gypsies who only handed him a 2027 contact extension in May. But the midfielder has only made 12 appearances for Bohs this year - almost 70 in total since joining in 2021 - and he asked manager Alan Reynolds about a loan move. Reynolds - who has Cian Byrne back from a loan at Galway United, and is linked with Drogheda United striker Douglas James-Taylor - said: 'James is a quality midfielder with huge potential. 'He has a massive future ahead of him with Bohs. We just felt that after his season last year was disrupted so much by injury, the best thing is that he's playing regularly.' Once John Russell got wind that McManus was available, he swooped to make McManus the club's third signing this summer. Russell had already snapped up Seb Quirk and Paddy McClean - brother of ex-Ireland ace James - last week, with McManus another notable addition. All three are in line to make their debuts in Saturday's clash with league leaders Shamrock Rovers at the Showgrounds. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sligo Rovers will be hoping the youngster can play an important role in pulling clear of relegation with Rovers four points clear of bottom side Cork City. McManus said: "I've been in and out of the team at Bohs and haven't played as much as I feel I need to and want to. I spoke to Bohs about letting me go for a short while and once that was agreed, John (Russell) was straight in touch. "It didn't take long for me to be convinced that Sligo was the place for me. There were a few clubs that showed interest but once I knew Rovers were interested, I jumped at it.' Speaking to club media, McManus said: "I've seen how many young players have flourished under John at the Showgrounds. He puts trust in young players and gives you a platform to show people that young players are good enough to play at this level. "I've been impressed with Rovers this season. We play a really attractive brand of football and caused Bohs a lot of problems in the games we've played against each other. ' McManus knows Sligo Rovers duo Jad Hakiki and Conor Walsh from Ireland underage squads and he spoke to Bohs team-mate Niall Morahan about the move. Morahan was a Bit O'Red favourite before moving to the Gypsies ahead of this season and McManus said: "I want to play as much as possible here. We want to catch the teams above us and pull away from the bottom of the league as it's not where this football club belongs." Sligo Rovers boss Russell feels McManus can make a significant impact at the club over the rest of the season. Russell said: "James is an intelligent midfielder who can dictate the tempo of any game. He can do a bit of everything, which I love in a player. I feel he will fit in well with what we have here and the way we play. We are all excited to start working with him. 'I've always admired what he can do ever since he broke into the Bohs team. I'd like to thank both Pat Fenlon and Alan Reynolds for their help in getting this deal done." Sligo Rovers have also announced that they will host Nigel Clough's Mansfield Town in a friendly at the Showgrounds on Tuesday, July 15. Elsewhere, Sean Robertson and Shamrock Rovers have parted ways after a forgettable spell with the Hoops that yielded one substitute appearance in March. Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email.
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Recovered Gibson-Park excited by Russell link-up for Lions
Everyone connected with the British & Irish Lions is gutted for Tomos Williams, ruled out of the tour through injury at a horribly early stage. Not only had the Gloucester scrum-half been performing well but his unfortunate early exit with a torn hamstring means the squad's Welsh representation is now so skinny it can fit into a single pair of jeans. While that inevitably places extra responsibility on Jac Morgan's shoulders as the last Welsh player standing, it also tweaks the bigger picture at scrum-half. Ben White has been summoned from Scotland's tour of New Zealand to be Williams's replacement and now has an opportunity to vie with Alex Mitchell for a place in the matchday 23 for the best-of-three Test series. Even at this juncture, though, the Lions' first-choice half-back combo is all too obvious. The arranged marriage between Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell has been delayed by a niggling injury to the former but the pair will be united for the first time when the Lions play the Queensland Reds on Wednesday. The mere fact Russell is the solitary squad member asked to back up from last Saturday shows the management's urgent desire to see their twin playmakers combine on the field. The only question now is how long the partnership will take to flourish; previously these have been rivals seeking to stifle each other's talents. Gibson-Park, 33, has played with numerous talented fly-halves in his time, not least Johnny Sexton who is a contrasting character to the ever-smiling Russell. It is Gibson-Park's firm belief, though, that he and Russell could have a productive and exciting future together. 'He's a hugely impressive player, isn't he?' said Gibson-Park, finally recovered from the strained glute that forced him to miss the United Rugby Championship final. 'Every team he's in he has a huge impact. I can only speak from the times I've come up against him and the preparation time it takes to try to limit what he is able to bring. That in itself is a huge compliment to him.' The Lions head coach, Andy Farrell, has seen enough of Gibson-Park to regard him as potentially a linchpin in his Test side. 'It's there for all to see. I don't say this lightly: he's 100% a world-class player and he would make any team better. His speed of play is like it is because his speed of thought is ahead of the game.' Blend the two together and the Lions are hoping for an instant rapport, even if Gibson-Park accepts that not all great half-back pairings are forged overnight. 'There is a gelling period with any 9/10 combination. We have spent some nice time together off the pitch, which is hugely important … and hopefully we can see it out there on Wednesday.' It will be fascinating to see how they do dovetail, with Bath's captain, Ben Spencer, having previously revealed his first interaction with Russell involved the Scot placing him in a head lock and saying, 'give me the ball'. Gibson-Park joked about having had a similar experience. 'He plays the game with a smile on his face and it's refreshing to see sometimes. But you don't see him in the meeting rooms. There is a serious side to him but when he's out there playing ball it's impressive to watch.' Whatever happens, Gibson-Park is hugely relieved to be up and running. He had to undergo numerous scans – 'they had every radiologist in the country trying to figure out what was going on' – but now slots into a matchday 23 featuring his Leinster colleagues Hugo Keenan and James Ryan for the first time. The nine-strong contingent of Irish players is outnumbered this time, though, by 10 Englishmen, led by the tour captain, Maro Itoje. The Reds have named a side containing nine Wallabies and two All Blacks with the Lions braced for further Aussie trolling regarding the southern hemisphere heritage of some of their players. 'I don't really care, I am used to it at this stage,' said Gibson-Park, raised on a small island north-east of Auckland. 'I have had a fair amount of it over my years with Ireland. Everybody is entitled to their opinion and that's fine. Aussies like to wind people up, it is part of their background, but it doesn't bother me.' Itoje said the Lions would be taking a phlegmatic approach after copping some nationality-related flak from the matchday PA announcer in Perth. 'It's the Australian way, isn't it? That's a minor comment and something we don't really pay too much attention to.' BRITISH & IRISH LIONS: H Keenan; T Freeman, H Jones, B Aki, D van der Merwe; F Russell, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, R Kelleher, W Stuart; M Itoje (capt), O Chessum; T Curry, J Morgan, J Conan. Replacements: L Cowan-Dickie, E Genge, F Bealham, J Ryan, B Earl, A Mitchell, F Smith, G Ringrose. Guardian
