Queensland Reds vs British and Irish Lions: Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park unleashed in Test series trial run? | Rugby Union News

The confrontation of the British and Irish lions with the Reds of Queensland may not have the status of test match, but that could provide the clearest tip to date to the reflection of Andy Farrell on the half-dos couple that he will deploy against the Wallabies.

With Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park forming the half-dos axis for Wednesday shock at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane-the place of the first test on July 19-Is this a test for the series against Australia or simply the last tactical experience?

Scrum-Half Gibson-Park made his Lions in Brisbane when he returned from an injury to the buttocks who saw him miss the URC final with Leinster earlier this month as well as the opening matches against Argentina and the Western force.

As a pre-turn favorites to start the series of tests against the Wallabies in the nine and 10 shirts, expectations are high for the partnership, regardless of the fact that they were limited to a single training session together.

And the Lions’ decision to start Russell again – just five days after the force match and despite the end of the Tomos Williams tour – underlines how farrell and his coaches appreciate the development of his partnership with Gibson -Park.

“They understand each other and understood everyone’s features before they even get on the plane because that’s what the players do,” said Farrell.

“They make sure what things do the best things. These are two characters who want to see the game from similar eyes insofar as the space is.

Gibson -Park and Russell – Test Match Partnership in manufacturing?

Half of the Scottish fly Russell presented his class throughout a club season outside the competition, guiding Bath to a title of Premiership, European Challenge Cup and Premièship Rugby Cup.

Now, the emphasis is on the speed with which he can gelify Gibson-Park in a half-dos pairing capable of leading the lions to test the victory of the series over the Wallabies.

The signs are already encouraging, according to Ireland Scrum-Half Gibson-Park, who said: “We know each other well-we have played enough against each other.

“Finn and I have already had conversations, and I hope we don’t have to change too much football games as we normally do.

“For everything you see from Finn and his ability to open a game, he is quite calculated in the way he manages the game too, so that will facilitate my work, let’s hope.

“There is a period of Gencement with a new and 10 combination.

Gibson-Park also praised Russell’s influence and leadership, adding: “Finn is an extremely impressive player. Each team in which he is, he has a huge impact.

“He plays the match with a smile on his face, and it’s refreshing. But you can’t see him in the meeting rooms – there is a serious side for him. He understands the impact he can have in a team, and that’s quite important here.”

‘Door to tests open’ – Farrell sends a message to lions

Despite this, Andy Farrell wanted to underline the positions of the test series against the Wallabies would remain open to all the members of his team to the final warm -up match – VS First Nations & Pasifika XV on July 22 – before the second test in Melbourne on July 26.

“I have already said it, I have all these plans, but they continue to be mixed all the time because of the nature of the sport,” said Farrell.

“What you do not see is what happens daily for the way that can and cannot train, combinations, and are we going to get enough preparation?

“The matches are thick and fast, I obviously have something in mind for Wednesday, Saturday and the following week, but being adaptable is the key.

“The number of games we have, thoughts in your head don’t really matter, you have to be open enough to allow people to challenge this test point.

“This is what we are all trying to do, we try to become as good as possible for us to be ready for the first test. Everyone would love the door open enough to do it.

“We still have a lot of opportunities for everyone in the group, until the third test. We have a mid -week match that keeps everyone on the point and fights for these test spots.”

How long can Lions generate shine?

Will Greenwood of Sky Sports:

“While rugby has entered the professional era, the ability of Lions teams to face the mid -week matches – against players who are on the sidelines of international rugby but who are not regularly associated – is increasingly successful.

“Since the beginning of the century, in six Lions Tours, they have lost only three non-test games. Most often, the Lions go through these relatively comfortably matters, winning quite well and ideally not taking more injuries.

“The lions have perfected their skills, sharpened their knives, began to understand the relationships a little more and built units against force. The Reds team looks like a very strong team, but each time the Lions have released a team, it is 15 of the best rugby players in the northern hemisphere bar France.

“They will always be good, this is just a case of their quality and the speed with which they can generate a shine for the series of tests.”

Farrell prepared for a “big step in place” against the reds

After beating Western Force 54-7 in Perth, the Lions arrived in Brisbane to face a team of Reds who finished the 2024/25 Super Rugby season before losing against any Crusade Champions in the final series.

Farrell is made no illusion of the stage in quality posed by the Kiss team, adding: “It’s a big side. I mean, it is obvious if you watched the games, not only this year, but last year too.

“THE [Kiss] did a fantastic job with them to play a big brand of rugby and is able to play in different ways.

“It will be 100% a big step for us on Wednesday evening. All on the side that the coaches, it will always be very well prepared.”

Itoje returns as captain that Farrell brings 14 modifications

Captain of the Lions Maro Itoje returns to the second row after being withdrawn for the 54-7 victory against force as one of the 14 modifications made by Farrell for the confrontation of Wednesday with the Reds in Brisbane.

The lateral rear Hugo Keenan made his first appearance of the tour after having recovered from a calf injury, while Russell continues half the fly that impressed in the optus stadium.

Start 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.

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

Each match of the tour of the British and Irish lions in 2025 – including the three tests against the Wallabies and six warm -up matches – will be presented exclusively live on Sky Sports.

The Lions tour in Australia continues with its second warm-up match against Queensland Reds in Brisbane (July 2), Waratahs in Sydney (July 5), The Brumbies de Canberra (July 9), an Australian invitation and New Zealand in Adélaïde (July 12) and the rebels in Melbourne (July 22).

This match will take place after the opening test in Brisbane on July 19, with the second test at MCG in Melbourne on July 26 and the final test of the Accor stadium in Sydney on August 2. Distribute the British and Irish lions without contract