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Farrell confident Gibson-Park will be 'up and running' when Lions reach Australia

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Clock Icon3 hoursRugby Union

Andy Farrell is confident Jamison Gibson-Park will be "up and running" by the time the British and Irish Lions reach Australia next week.

The Ireland scrum-half was absent for Leinster's United Rugby Championship (URC) final victory over the Bulls due to a glute injury.

Tipped to be the Lions' starting nine for the three-match Test series against the Wallabies, Gibson-Park will not be involved when the Lions face Argentina in Dublin on Friday.

England half-back Alex Mitchell will start against the Pumas with Wales' Tomos Williams on the bench, while Farrell confirmed Leicester Tigers' scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet has joined the camp as cover.

"Good news on most of the injuries, they are all a week or so away from being fit," Farrell said.

"We didn't quite know until Jamison got another scan on Monday night which was pretty positive. 

"Jack [Van Poortvliet] comes over as cover for this game, Jamison should be up and running for the week after."

There was also positive news on tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong, who has not featured for Leinster since May due to a calf injury.

"Well, he's fit, he's fit, and ready to go and trained well. And he's as keen as everyone else to get the show on the road," Farrell added.

"It is what it is. You have all the best plans for a game of rugby. You've got to be ready from minute one or you roll with the punches.

"You may want to get someone on after 50 or 55 minutes but that might not come to fruition and they might only get five minutes at the end. It is what it is. Everyone understands that."

In a further injury update, Farrell added: "Huw Jones has trained with us this week, and he's been back into full training, so that's great.

"Hugo Keenan ran for the first time a couple of days ago. Everything's going pretty well as far as that's concerned. And there's always one or two bumps and bruises that you're trying to nurse but the nature of rugby within itself. So, we're in good shape."