Queensland Reds vs British and Irish Lions: Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park unleashed in Test sequence trial run?

The British and Irish Lions’ conflict with the Queensland Reds might not have Test-match standing however it might present the clearest trace but at Andy Farrell’s considering over the half-back pairing he’ll deploy in opposition to the Wallabies.

With Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park forming the half-back axis for Wednesday’s conflict at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane – the venue of the primary Test on July 19 – is that this a trial run for the sequence in opposition to Australia or merely the most recent tactical experiment?

Scrum-half Gibson-Park makes his Lions debut in Brisbane on his comeback from a glute harm that noticed him miss the URC closing with Leinster earlier this month in addition to the opening tour video games in opposition to Argentina and Western Force.

As pre-tour favourites to start out the Test sequence in opposition to the Wallabies within the 9 and 10 shirts, expectations are excessive for the partnership regardless of the actual fact they’ve been restricted to a single coaching session collectively.

And the Lions’ resolution to start out Russell once more – simply 5 days after the Force recreation and regardless of Tomos Williams’ tour-ending harm – underscores how extremely Farrell and his coaches worth the event of his partnership with Gibson-Park.

“They understand one another and understood each other’s traits even before they got on the plane because that is what players do,” Farrell stated.

“They look out for how the best do things. They are two characters who want to see the game from similar eyes as far as where space is. They have attacking mindsets but they both know how important game control is.”

Gibson-Park and Russell – Test match partnership within the making?

Scotland fly-half Russell showcased his class all through a standout membership season, guiding Bath to a Premiership title, European Challenge Cup, and Premiership Rugby Cup.

Now, the main focus shifts to how rapidly he can gel with Gibson-Park right into a half-back pairing able to main the Lions to Test sequence victory over the Wallabies.

The indicators are already encouraging, in accordance with Ireland scrum-half Gibson-Park, who stated: “We know each other pretty well – we’ve played against each other enough.

“Finn and I’ve already had conversations, and hopefully we do not have to vary too much-just play footy like we usually do.

“For all the stuff you see of Finn and his ability to break a game open, he’s pretty calculated in the way he manages the game as well, so it will make my job easier, hopefully.

“There’s a gelling interval with any 9 and 10 mixture. When you are largely in control of driving the sport, there’s going to be a little bit of a feeling-out interval, however it’s been good-and hopefully we will see it on the market on Wednesday.”

Gibson-Park additionally praised Russell’s affect and management, including: “Finn’s a hugely impressive player. Every team he’s in, he has a huge impact.

“He performs the sport with a smile on his face, and that is refreshing. But you guys do not see him within the assembly rooms-there’s a critical facet to him. He understands the influence he can have on a group, and that is fairly vital right here.”

‘Door to Tests open’ – Farrell sends message to Lions

Despite this, Andy Farrell was keen to stress positions for the Test series against the Wallabies would remain open for all members of his squad right up until the final warm-up game – vs First Nations & Pasifika XV on July 22 – ahead of the second Test in Melbourne on July 26.

“I’ve stated this earlier than, I’ve all these plans however they preserve being shuffled round on a regular basis due to the character of the game,” Farrell stated.

“What you don’t see is what happens on a daily basis as far as who can and cannot train, combinations, and are we going to get enough preparation?

“The video games are coming thick and quick, I’ve clearly acquired one thing in thoughts for Wednesday, Saturday and the next week, however being adaptable is the important thing.

“The number of games we’ve got, thoughts in your head don’t really matter, you’ve got to be open-minded enough to allow people to challenge for that Test spot.

“That is what we’re all making an attempt to do, we’re making an attempt to get nearly as good as we probably can in order that we’re prepared for the primary Test. Everyone would love the door to be open sufficient to do this.

“We’ve still got plenty of opportunity for all in the group, right up until the third Test. We’ve got a midweek game that keeps everyone on point and fighting for those Test spots.”

How quickly can Lions generate brilliance?

Sky Sports’ Will Greenwood:

“As rugby has moved into the professional era, the ability of Lions squads to cope with midweek games – against players who are on the fringe of international rugby but are not regularly associated with it – has become increasingly successful.

“Since the flip of the century, in six Lions excursions, they’ve solely misplaced three non-Test matches. More usually than not the Lions come via these video games comparatively comfortably, successful fairly properly, and ideally not choosing up extra accidents.

“The Lions honed their skills, sharpened their knives, began to understand relationships a little bit more and built units against the Force. The Reds team looks a very strong team, but every time the Lions put a team out, it’s 15 of the best rugby players in the northern hemisphere bar France.

“They are at all times going to be good, it is only a case of how good they are often and the way rapidly can they generate brilliance for the Test sequence.”

Farrell braced for ‘big step up’ against Reds

After defeating Western Force 54-7 in Perth, the Lions have arrived in Brisbane to face a Reds side who finished the 2024/25 Super Rugby season in fifth before losing to eventual champions Crusaders in the Finals series.

Farrell is under no illusions of the step up in quality posed by Les Kiss’ team, adding: “They’re a terrific facet. I imply, that is apparent for those who’ve watched the video games, not simply this 12 months, however final 12 months as properly.

“Les [Kiss] has done a fantastic job with them to play a great brand of rugby and are able to play in many different ways.

“This can be 100 per cent an enormous step up for us on Wednesday night time. Any facet that Les coaches, he is at all times going to be very properly ready.”

Itoje returns as captain as Farrell makes 14 modifications

Lions captain Maro Itoje returns to the second row after being stood down for the 54-7 victory over the Force as certainly one of 14 modifications made by Farrell for Wednesday’s conflict with the Reds in Brisbane.

Full-back Hugo Keenan makes his first look of the tour after recovering from a calf harm, whereas Russell continues at fly-half having impressed at Optus Stadium.

Starting XV: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Maro Itoje (captain), 5 Ollie Chessum, 6 Tom Curry, 7 Jac Morgan, 8 Jack Conan.

Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 James Ryan, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Fin Smith, 23 Garry Ringrose.

Every match of the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia – together with all three Tests in opposition to the Wallabies and 6 warm-up matches – can be proven completely stay on Sky Sports.

The Lions’ tour of Australia continues with their second warm-up recreation in opposition to Queensland Reds in Brisbane (July 2), the Waratahs in Sydney (July 5), the Brumbies in Canberra (July 9), an Invitational Australia & New Zealand facet in Adelaide (July 12) and the Rebels in Melbourne (July 22).

That recreation will happen after the opening Test in Brisbane on July 19, with the second Test on the MCG in Melbourne on July 26 and the ultimate Test within the Accor Stadium in Sydney on August 2. Stream the British and Irish Lions with no contract