Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park says the bonds built on last summer’s British and Irish Lions Tour to Australia has forged a “brotherly rivalry” between the Irish and English camps.
The sides meet in their latest Six Nations encounter at Twickenham on Saturday (14:10 GMT) and both sets of players will know one another only too well with 18 Irish and 15 English on the same Lions squad last summer.
While Test matches between the nations are always dominated by an age-old rivalry, Gibson-Park feels that has only grown stronger and now has something of a family feel between these groups of players.
“I think there was a bit of ‘mateship’ created between us and to me, that adds to a rivalry,” the 33-year-old told reporters at this week’s news conference.
“When I think of the inter-pros in Ireland, they are my favourite games to play because you know the lads. I’ve spoken on it before that it’s a brotherly kind of rivalry.
“We played with these guys for two months over the summer and got to know them pretty well, some great fellas. To me, that adds to the challenge and the rivalry.”
Gibson-Park had to content himself with a place on the replacements bench for Ireland’s victory over Italy in Dublin last weekend with Munster’s Craig Casey getting the nod to start.
Naturally, the Leinster clubman is keen to earn his 49th Ireland cap as a starter this week but was happy to “bring energy” as a replacement last week.
Ireland have gone with a bench split of six forwards and two backs in their opening Six Nations games and with that, Gibson-Park feels it is imperative for all players to be a little more versatile, even suggesting with a smile he’d be open to a different role in the backs.
“It’s something we have to be over the detail and be ready to do,” he added.
“It’s part and parcel of playing 6-2 but I’d love to get a run on the wing.
“I enjoy it and it’s something I do a little bit of in training. The weeks I’m not playing with Leinster I try and get a run at full-back because ultimately, it can aid your game and give you more of an understanding, and I find it enjoyable.”
