Ireland Focused on Progress, Not Hat-Trick Hype – Gibson-Park
As Ireland stands on the brink of making Six Nations history by winning three consecutive titles, scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park insists that the team is not dwelling on the milestone.
Following their Grand Slam victory in 2023 and last year’s triumph, Ireland is now eyeing a historic third successive title. However, Gibson-Park emphasizes that the focus remains on each game as it comes.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a massive topic of discussion. Yes, it has been mentioned, but we’re taking things week by week,” said the New Zealand-born playmaker.
“It might sound like a cliché, but the most important thing is to concentrate on the next match. It’s an incredible opportunity, and we’re ready to give it our all,” he added.
Crowley or Prendergast – Who Will Wear the No. 10 Jersey?
While Gibson-Park is a certainty in the starting lineup, the debate over who will partner him at half-back against England remains intense.
Interim head coach Simon Easterby will announce the squad on Thursday at 12:00 GMT, with Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast battling for the crucial fly-half position.
Gibson-Park welcomes the competition, saying, “It’s great to see such strong contenders pushing each other. We missed this contest over Christmas, but it’s fantastic for them.”
“Both are going to be incredible players in the years to come, and I’m excited to watch their progress,” he added.
When asked about the intense focus on Ireland’s fly-halves, he compared it to New Zealand’s rugby culture, saying, “It’s the same back home. Think about the Dan Carter era—just like Ireland had Ronan O’Gara and Johnny Sexton, we had Carter and Andrew Mehrtens. It’s always a big talking point.”
As Ireland prepares to take on England, the focus remains on performance rather than records. Can they make history? That remains to be seen.
