Four years is a long time in the world of rugby.

And for Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park, they have seen him go from finding his feet on the international stage to becoming a leading contender for a starting place in the Lions’ opening Test against Australia.

It has been quite the rise for the 33-year-old and a feat all the more impressive considering the scrum-half’s journey to get to this point.

A move from his native New Zealand to the Emerald Isle in 2016 to join Leo Cullen’s Leinster was a bold move for both Gibson-Park’s career and family.

However, it has paid off handsomely, with the 2018 Champions Cup winner blossoming into one of Ireland’s standout performers in recent years.

Having become a pivotal figure under Andy Farrell, Gibson-Park, who was part of his country’s 2023 Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam-winning side, will be hoping to emulate his impressive exploits wearing red.

Mixed emotions

When hearing your name called out confirming your place in The British & Irish Lions squad, any player would be forgiven for allowing their mind to bask in the incredible personal achievement it is to be selected.

But for Gibson-Park, his thoughts partially lay elsewhere when Lions chair Ieuan Evans announced the good news at the O2 Arena on May 8.

The epitome of a team player, Gibson-Park couldn’t help but feel for teammate and Lions contender Caelan Doris – who was ruled out of selection following surgery on a shoulder injury he picked up during Leinster’s 37-34 Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints on May 3.

"It was bizarre, to tell you the truth, it was an emotional rollercoaster," he said.

"There's plenty going on, Caelan probably being the biggest one. It was unbelievably tough on him.

"He's been such a great player for club and country. He's had an unbelievable run with injuries and it's just the cruelty of the game sometimes.

"We were sickened for him, but in the same breath there's something there to celebrate. It was a pretty strange week."

Early Lions memories

Gibson-Park was born on New Zealand’s Great Barrier Island in 1992, spending his formative years there, before moving to Gisborne on the North Island in the early 2000s.

And it was there in north-eastern New Zealand that a 13-year-old Gibson-Park got his first taste of what a Lions Tour was all about.

“I have a lot of memories of watching the 2005 Tour,” he recalled.

“I remember it was just incredible. The support was really memorable, the stadiums were packed, and I hope it will be the same this time [in Australia].

“Fans will be coming back this time, which is really cool. It is special to have people coming to support you, so we hope to give the fans something to cheer about.”

At Gisborne Boys’ High School, Gibson-Park’s ability stood out and he was picked up by Taranaki’s academy in 2011.

A debut for the New Plymouth-based side followed in 2012 and a string of impressive performances for them earned Gibson-Park a move to Super Rugby outfit Blues in 2013, and then Hurricanes in 2016.

Injuries and limited opportunities characterised Gibson-Park’s time at both franchises, although a stellar year in 2015 for the Auckland-based team demonstrated his capabilities.

Same game, different island

In 2016, Gibson-Park travelled north, swapping one proud rugby-playing island nation for another, as he signed for Leinster.

And having qualified to play for Ireland in 2019 on residency grounds, Gibson-Park and his wife Patti, who have three young children in daughters Iris and Isabella and son Jai, then became Irish citizens in late 2023.

“I think it was a pretty easy decision for us to make really,” he told Evoke in 2024 about his move to Ireland.

“We've really found our feet here and my family is unbelievably well settled which is great for me, it makes my job easier.

“I can just focus on doing my thing so we're pretty grateful to Ireland and everything it's done for us.

“This country is unreal; it’s a lot like New Zealand in many ways.”

Speaking about the day his new citizenship was confirmed, Gibson-Park continued: “It was a day I’d been looking forward to for a while.

“Rugby is one of those games where you don’t know where you’re going to end up sometimes. You’re signing contracts for two or three years and a lot can change in that time.”

Old faces, new battles

There is fierce competition all over the pitch and the fight to start at scrum-half come July 19 in Brisbane is no different, with England’s Alex Mitchell and Tomos Williams of Wales also selected for their capabilities in the number nine shirt.

But Gibson-Park is relishing the chance to learn from the pair and is also looking forward to being reunited with former Ireland and Leinster teammate Johnny Sexton – who was named by Farrell as one of his assistant coaches.

“I loved working alongside Johnny as a player and to do it as a coach is unbelievable. I am looking forward to getting into it,” he said.

“Alex and Tomos are a couple of unbelievable players, it will be awesome to spend time with them and pick their brains. I am looking forward to getting stuck in.

“It will be a blank canvas for everyone, so let’s see how we get on.”

Gibson-Park’s talents have not gone unnoticed among his fellow scrum-halves worldwide either, with Australia’s Will Genia recently describing the Ireland star as ‘easily the best half-back in the world’.

“He’s real smooth with the way he plays the game, he’s real decisive, he’s got great vision, excellent skills,” he said.

“He is one of the big reasons why Ireland are so successful; he gives them tempo and direction.

“At Test level it’s about minimising errors, he rarely makes mistakes. He performs at an eight or nine out of 10 every week.”

Charity work

Gibson-Park has other focuses away from rugby and acts an ambassador for Jack & Jill – a charity that offers in-home nursing care and respite support for children up to the age of six with severe to profound cognitive delay.

Speaking about his role with Jack & Jill, he added: “As a dad of three healthy children, I massively appreciate how lucky we are as a family and can only begin to imagine the challenges faced by the Jack and Jill families day in and day out, who have children with such complex medical needs.

“I am thrilled to lend my support to Jack and Jill.”