Jamison Gibson-Park's 'kind of amazed' Conor Murray verdict

Jamison Gibson-Park feels “very privileged” to have learnt from fellow Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray. Munster player Murray is poised to make a 125th and final appearance for his country during Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations finale away to Italy.

The 35-year-old has won five Six Nations titles, including two Grand Slams, and toured three times with the British and Irish Lions since his Test debut against France in 2011. New Zealand-born Gibson-Park is favourite to wear the number nine jersey for the Lions in Australia this summer after replacing Murray as first-choice for Ireland in 2021.

“He has been unbelievable and he is such a great guy – I have been very privileged to play with him,” said the 33-year-old Leinster player. “He was one of the best in the world for the guts of 10 years. I used to watch on and when I first arrived in Ireland I was kind of amazed at how good he was really.

Erasmus on Le Roux’s potential 100th Test

Erasmus on Le Roux’s potential 100th Test

“He was unbelievably consistent and I suppose in many ways I felt at that time I was probably a little inconsistent. So I looked up to guys like him for sure and then, getting into camp, it has been awesome to rub shoulders with him. He is such a great guy and he has certainly helped my career.”

Prop Cian Healy – Ireland’s most-capped player, with 137 appearances – and flanker Peter O’Mahony will also call time on their international careers in Rome.

Six Nations

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

France

4

3

1

0

16

2

England

4

3

1

0

15

3

Ireland

4

3

1

0

14

4

Scotland

4

2

2

0

11

5

Italy

4

1

3

0

4

6

Wales

4

0

4

0

3

Simon Easterby’s side must win at Stadio Olimpico and then hope second-placed England and table-topping France slip up against Wales and Scotland respectively in order for the long-serving trio to sign off with another title.

“It would be nice to finish off in a good way for the lads that are done,” said Gibson-Park after Ireland’s Grand Slam dream was extinguished by Saturday’s 42-27 loss to France in Dublin.

“We have another game to look forward to, so that is the beauty about this competition, we still have a game to go and we can turn it around hopefully. I feel privileged to have played with all three of them.”