HE’S THE HEARTBEAT of this Ireland side and when Jamison Gibson-Park is humming, the team around him is generally humming too.
Ireland had a collective slow start against England last Saturday and the 32-year-old scrum-half was no different as he threw a couple of wobbly passes and missed a tackle in the build-up to England’s opening try.
Yet there was quality from the off too as Gibson-Park launched a couple of good kicks and he was soon fizzing around the pitch delivering slick passes and making strong decisions, helping Ireland to deliver a potent attacking performance in the second half.
“We were all a bit frustrated after November,” said Gibson-Park after the bonus-point win over the English.
“We obviously won three out of four games but we didn’t feel as though we got much going. The second half out there tonight was pleasing so obviously there’s still loads to work on.
“We probably should have scored more points in the first half but plenty to look at for sure.”
Gibson-Park is never one to hog the limelight and he was typically understated in assessing his first-half try, which involved running an excellent support line inside James Lowe before rinsing England fullback Freddie Steward with a sidestep.
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“Lowey was actually giving out to me after that because he stayed alive on the outside and I probably could have passed to him but I didn’t.
“I just took the one-on-one and happy enough to get on the scoresheet.
“It was cool to cross the line and the atmosphere was class today. A few lads have probably mentioned that, but it was really good.”
That connection between Lowe and Gibson-Park has become familiar for Leinster and Ireland fans, and the scrum-half is delighted to have his wingman back from the calf injury that had sidelined him since November.
Gibson-Park celebrates with Bundee Aki. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
“He hasn’t played a lot of footy so that’s pretty awesome to come out there on the big occasion and have a game like that, ” said Gibson-Park of Lowe, “fair dues to him.”
The support lines on Lowe’s inside are second nature for Gibson-Park now.
“Just in case, he will either get barrelled into touch or give it back to me!”
Gibson-Park said it was also “a massive lift” knowing that Dan Sheehan and Jack Conan were back on the Irish bench, their team-mates sensing that they would be able to help Ireland finish strongly.
Jack Crowley was also part of the impressive bench impact, having replaced starting out-half Sam Prendergast, who Gibson-Park has quickly become used to playing alongside for province and country.
Whoever partners him in the halfbacks this weekend, Gibson-Park will be looking to build on his fine opening weekend performance.
He didn’t seem to agree with his player of the match award – “I’m not sure who was picking it!” – and believes that he and his team-mates need to go up a level on Sunday in Edinburgh.
The Scots started their campaign with a bonus-point win at home against Italy and will be desperate to end their 10-game losing streak against Ireland.
“They’re a classy side,” said Gibson-Park.
“They’re playing good footy and they’re stacked full of really good individuals, so it will be a tough challenge. I know it’s been a long time since they won but there’s no reason they can’t.”
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'We were frustrated after November' - JGP looks for another level from Ireland
HE’S THE HEARTBEAT of this Ireland side and when Jamison Gibson-Park is humming, the team around him is generally humming too.
Ireland had a collective slow start against England last Saturday and the 32-year-old scrum-half was no different as he threw a couple of wobbly passes and missed a tackle in the build-up to England’s opening try.
Yet there was quality from the off too as Gibson-Park launched a couple of good kicks and he was soon fizzing around the pitch delivering slick passes and making strong decisions, helping Ireland to deliver a potent attacking performance in the second half.
“We were all a bit frustrated after November,” said Gibson-Park after the bonus-point win over the English.
“We obviously won three out of four games but we didn’t feel as though we got much going. The second half out there tonight was pleasing so obviously there’s still loads to work on.
“We probably should have scored more points in the first half but plenty to look at for sure.”
Gibson-Park is never one to hog the limelight and he was typically understated in assessing his first-half try, which involved running an excellent support line inside James Lowe before rinsing England fullback Freddie Steward with a sidestep.
“Lowey was actually giving out to me after that because he stayed alive on the outside and I probably could have passed to him but I didn’t.
“I just took the one-on-one and happy enough to get on the scoresheet.
“It was cool to cross the line and the atmosphere was class today. A few lads have probably mentioned that, but it was really good.”
That connection between Lowe and Gibson-Park has become familiar for Leinster and Ireland fans, and the scrum-half is delighted to have his wingman back from the calf injury that had sidelined him since November.
“He hasn’t played a lot of footy so that’s pretty awesome to come out there on the big occasion and have a game like that, ” said Gibson-Park of Lowe, “fair dues to him.”
The support lines on Lowe’s inside are second nature for Gibson-Park now.
“Just in case, he will either get barrelled into touch or give it back to me!”
Gibson-Park said it was also “a massive lift” knowing that Dan Sheehan and Jack Conan were back on the Irish bench, their team-mates sensing that they would be able to help Ireland finish strongly.
Jack Crowley was also part of the impressive bench impact, having replaced starting out-half Sam Prendergast, who Gibson-Park has quickly become used to playing alongside for province and country.
Whoever partners him in the halfbacks this weekend, Gibson-Park will be looking to build on his fine opening weekend performance.
He didn’t seem to agree with his player of the match award – “I’m not sure who was picking it!” – and believes that he and his team-mates need to go up a level on Sunday in Edinburgh.
The Scots started their campaign with a bonus-point win at home against Italy and will be desperate to end their 10-game losing streak against Ireland.
“They’re a classy side,” said Gibson-Park.
“They’re playing good footy and they’re stacked full of really good individuals, so it will be a tough challenge. I know it’s been a long time since they won but there’s no reason they can’t.”
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