B&I Lions nearing full fitness after good Gibson-Park news, Farrell says

The British and Irish Lions expect to have a fully fit squad in the next week or so after a positive update on scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park, coach Andy Farrell said after naming his side for Friday's warm-up against Argentina.
The Lions are in relatively rude health as they prepare to fly to Australia having only lost Scotland prop Zander Fagerson to injury in the lead up. Gibson-Park was the other main concern after he missed Leinster's United Rugby Championship (URC) final victory on Saturday with a minor glute strain.
Hugo Keenan also missed the final but Farrell said the Leinster fullback ran for the first time a couple of days ago and is going pretty well, while Scotland centre Huw Jones returned to full training this week.
'Good news on most of the injuries, they're all a week or so away from being fit,' Farrell said ahead of the Argentina clash at Lansdowne Road in Dublin.
Four bespoke portraits for four British & Irish Lions 🦁🎨 pic.twitter.com/fNeOItvDlZ
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) June 18, 2025
'We didn't quite know until Jamison got another scan on Monday night, that was pretty positive. We're in good shape.'
With half the Lions touring squad involved in the URC and English Premiership finals last Saturday, Farrell's options for Friday's warm-up at the Aviva Stadium were limited but he was nevertheless excited to try out some new combinations from the four nations.
'I did an exercise a couple of weeks ago, and I've done it about five times since, of what you think your Test side could be, and you actually can't even go there because there's such good competition, and that's how it should be,' Farrell said.
'The exciting thing about Friday night is these guys get to show the teammates sat in the stands what they're all about. Because ultimately what happens on these tours, these guys, all they're trying to do is gain the respect of one another. Impress one another.'
British & Irish Lions on Twitter / X
A partnership Farrell is looking forward to seeing is one he hopes will prove a 'dominant' option at centre as Ireland's Bundee Aki lines up next to Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu, who has barely played in an injury-hit season.
Another physical combination sees captain Maro Itoje pack down next to Ireland's Tadhg Beirne in the second row. Tourists together in 2021, the pair have been roommates this time around and the big Munsterman has been surprised so far by one aspect of Itoje's leadership style.
'He doesn't curse,' Beirne said, noting that he struggles with such restraint as Munster skipper.
'He's been leading the team really well.'
Having played many a battle in Dublin wearing the white of England, Itoje has enjoyed a novelty of his own this week while walking around the streets of the Irish capital.
'It's very nice to be so warmly received in Dublin, because that tends not to be the case,' he said.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Star

5 hours ago

• The Star

Lions bolstered by Chris Smith URC signing as Stormers retain Ben-Jason Dixon, Wandisile Simelane

Leighton Koopman | Published 8 hours ago With the next instalment of the United Rugby Championship starting in a couple of months, the Lions have added some exciting players to their arsenal in a bid to strengthen their squad to challenge for a first playoff berth. The latest addition is former Bulls general Chris Smith, who returns from a two-season stint overseas at French club Oyonnax, crossing the Jukskei from the Pretoria side where he last played before leaving the country. Smith, a consistent kicker, had some strong performances in the blue jersey. So, the Johannesburg side will hope he can take his game to another level as they look for a flyhalf who can spearhead the team to the quarter-finals in the coming season. They have struggled for consistency in the No 10 jersey for the last couple of campaigns, with Kade Wolhuter, Gianni Lombard and Nico Steyn sharing the jersey. But none have put their hand up to claim the position, and the arrival of Smith will add to that competition. He is not the only player joining the men from Ellis Park; they also signed two wingers in Angelo Davids of the Stormers and Eduan Keyter from the Sharks. They must fill the void of Springbok Edwill van der Merwe, who has joined the Sharks. Van der Merwe, who became a Bok at the Lions, has been outstanding, and the duo will have big boots to fill. Davids, a former Blitzbok, will seek more game-time after falling out of favour in Cape Town, while Keyter will look to revive his career after a spell of unfortunate injuries while based at Kings Park. Davids played behind the likes of Seabelo Senatla, Leolin Zas, Suleiman Hartzenberg and Ben Loader, and needed this move away from the Mother City. Both wingers are deadly attackers and have a knack for finding the try-line. So, they should not take too long to adapt to the enterprising rugby that the Lions play. The Lions also announced the signing of Griquas lock Dylan Sjoblom. He will add some needed depth to the side ahead of another URC campaign, where they will look to reach the playoffs for the first time. They boast some of the most exciting players in the country, but have unfortunately not lived up to expectations over the last couple of seasons. Head coach Ivan van Rooyen will hope the strategic acquisitions can boost the side on and off the field as they use the Currie Cup to prepare for their fifth season in the European competition. Van Rooyen is under pressure, and it will likely be a non-negotiable for the side to reach the playoffs if he wants to take them forward. The Stormers, meanwhile, won their arbitration case with loose forward Ben-Jason Dixon, which will see the Springbok committed to the Cape side until 2027 at least. They also confirmed the extension of midfielder Wandisile Simelane's stay in the Cape. Dixon sought arbitration to resolve a particular clause in his contract, which runs until July 2027. 'Ben-Jason is one of the most committed rugby players around, and has been a vital cog in our team for some time. With this now settled, we know that he will continue to give everything on and off the field for us,' Stormers director of rugby John Dobson said in a statement on Friday. Dixon, currently out injured, said that with the matter now resolved, he is looking forward to making an impact on the field once again. 'I'm really grateful that both sides had the chance to bring everything to the table through arbitration and get clarity going forward. 'With this behind us, I'm looking forward to getting back to doing what I love – giving my best for the Stormers.'

The South African

11 hours ago

• The South African

No Temba Bavuma, no worry for Proteas Test tour of Zimbabwe

Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe due to a left hamstring strain. Bavuma sustained the injury while batting during South Africa's second innings on day three of the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground. He is set to undergo further scans to assess the extent of the injury. Keshav Maharaj will captain the side in his absence. The squad will depart for Bulawayo on Tuesday, 24 June from OR Tambo International Airport. The first Test gets underway on Saturday, 28 June, followed by the second Test from Sunday, 6 July, with both matches taking place at Queens Sports Club. Even without Bavuma, the Proteas are expected to be far too strong for Zimbabwe. Keshav Maharaj (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), David Bedingham (Western Province), Matthew Breetzke (Warriors), Dewald Brevis (Titans), Corbin Bosch (Titans), Tony de Zorzi (Western Province), Zubayr Hamza (Lions), Kwena Maphaka (Lions), Wiaan Mulder (Lions), Lungi Ngidi* (Titans), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Titans), Lesego Senokwane (Titans), Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kyle Verreynne (Western Province), Codi Yusuf (Lions) *second Test only 28 June – 2 July at 10:00 Zimbabwe vs South Africa – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo 6 – 10 July at 10:00 Zimbabwe vs South Africa – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

TimesLIVE

11 hours ago

• TimesLIVE

BaaBaas, with ‘great players in world rugby', a good test for Boks: Rassie

The Barbarians have some hugely experienced, quality campaigners and will provide a fitting opening test for the Springboks' 2025 season, coach Rassie Erasmus said. The Boks face the BaaBaas on June 28 before lining up against Italy in back-to-back Tests in Pretoria (July 5) and Gqeberha (July 12), after which they wrap up the Incoming Series against Georgia in Mbombela (July 19). The Boks are close to being a full contingent of players after the arrival of the Bulls players, Leinster lock RG Snyman and Leicester Tigers flyhalf Handré Pollard, following their involvement in the United Rugby Championship and Gallagher Premiership finals last weekend.