Jamison Gibson-Park describes the ‘pretty strange week’ where he felt ‘sickened’ but still had ‘something to celebrate’
Jamison Gibson-Park has reflected on his "emotional" British and Irish Lions selection
Jamison Gibson-Park has lifted the lid on the “emotional rollercoaster” that was getting selected to tour with the British and Irish Lions at the same time his Leinster and Ireland teammate Caelan Doris was ruled out of contention.
Doris had been touted as skipper for the upcoming trio to Australia before a shoulder injury sustained versus Northampton the weekend before the May 8 Lions selection left his availability in jeopardy. Back the Lions against Australia with the best betting sign up offers.
Doris’ injury
Leinster at the time stated there would be no update until after Doris had his operation and cruel confirmation that the Irish number eight would be sidelined until September at the earliest arrived last Monday, just days after it had been revealed by Lions head coach Andy Farrell that 12 other Leinster players – including scrum-half Gibson-Park – will tour next month.
The first meet-up by the British and Irish Lions playing squad took place on Sunday in London, and Gibson-Park spoke at admin day about his conflicting emotions about his own selection and the injury that ruled out his club and country teammate Doris.
“It was bizarre, an emotional roller coaster,” he said about the days surrounding the Lions’ selection.
“There was plenty going on, Caelan probably being the biggest one. It was unbelievably tough on him.
“We were hanging on to hope…”
“He has been such a great player for club and country. He has had an unbelievable run with injuries and it’s just the cruelty of the game.
“We were sickened for him but in the same breath, there is something there to celebrate. It was a pretty strange week.
“We were hanging on to hope (about Doris), you never know until you get scans. His performances have been unbelievably consistent for a long time. He will certainly be missed. He is a great fella,” added Gibson-Park, the New Zealander who debuted for Ireland in 2020 after qualifying under World Rugby’s residency criteria.
The injury to Doris was compounded by Leinster’s unexpected loss to Northampton, leaving them idle this coming weekend rather than preparing to play in what would have been their fourth Investec Champions Cup final in a row.
Leinster have bounced back to defeat Zebre and Glasgow in the United Rugby Championship to clinch the number one seeding for the play-offs, which begin with a May 31 quarter-final versus Scarlets in Dublin.
“Fairly bleak as you can imagine,” said Gibson-Park, describing the aftermath of their European elimination versus the Saints.
“You have to suck it up, take the learnings and move on.”
