When Andy Farrell named his 2025 Lions squad last Thursday, no one was surprised to see a black-eyed Jamison Gibson-Park at the top of the halfback list.
The Ireland and Leinster nine have regularly been among the world’s top scrumhalves, both at international and club levels, and are widely regarded as the unquestionable starting nine for the Lions’ opening test against Australia in July.
Gibson-Park’s reputation as a halfback is surpassed only by that of the superhuman Frenchman Antoine Dupont, who is regarded not just as the best scrumhalf in world rugby but also as the best player in the world.
Gibson-Park’s stock, like that of all Ireland and Leinster players, has taken a hit in recent weeks, with Ireland’s third-place Six Nations finish and Leinster’s Champions Cup elimination raising doubts about whether Farrell’s most trusted servants are in the form to win a test tour in Australia.
Just last week, Brian O’Driscoll intimated that even the position of a lock like Gibson-Park might not be secured, with Northampton’s Alex Mitchell sneaking in seeming very likely.
Will Genia claims Jamison Gibson-Park is a better halfback than Dupont
However, famous Australian scrumhalf Will Genia, who won 110 caps for the Wallabies and gave one of the all-time great performances against the Home Nations in 2013, had no concerns about Leinster’s nine players.
Speaking on For the Love of Rugby, Genia not only praised ‘world-class’ Gibson-Park, but also suggested he was a better halfback than French legend Dupont.
However, famous Australian scrumhalf Will Genia, who won 110 caps for the Wallabies and gave one of the all-time great performances against the Home Nations in 2013, had no concerns about Leinster’s nine players.
Speaking on For the Love of Rugby, Genia not only praised ‘world-class’ Gibson-Park, but also suggested he was a better halfback than French legend Dupont.
While Dupont, Bordeaux’s Maxime Lucu, and possibly even Alex Mitchell may have something to say about Gina’s assertion, there is no doubt that Gibson-Park is among the greatest in the world in his position, and his comparison to Dupont is among the highest compliments one can receive in the sport.
In fact, neither Ireland nor the Lions likely have a player as highly ranked in any position as the 43-time Irish international. If anyone other than him emerged in the nine shirt when Andy Farrell’s tourists face Australia on July 19th, it would be a huge surprise.
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