It is hard to imagine Ireland and Leinster's attacking evolution in recent seasons without Jamison Gibson-Park present, such has been his central role for club and country.
The Kiwi has been integral to Ireland's success in the Andy Farrell era and has been in the form of his life in Leinster's run to the Champions Cup final this campaign
The 32-year-old will be pitted against Toulouse's Antoine Dupont in that showpiece bout in London later this month; the Frenchman's predigree is well-documented.
Both Gibson-Park and Dupont have no shortage of admirers, the latter is already regarded by many to be the greatest talent to ever pick up a rugby ball.
Gibson-Park, meanwhile, was once described as more important to Ireland's play than Johnny Sexton by legend Gordon D'Arcy - such is his value to how Andy Farrell's side plays.
Ben Youngs details how Jamison Gibson-Park is leading scrum-half evolution
England legend Ben Youngs - who retired from Test rugby after the 2023 Rugby World Cup - has competed against both men and is as qualified as anyone in assessing just how impactful they have been.
19 August 2023; Ben Youngs of England and Jamison Gibson-Park of Ireland during the Bank of Ireland Nations Series match between Ireland and England at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Speaking to RugbyPass, Youngs detailed how Gibson-Park - in tandem with Dupont - is leading both the evolution and increasing importance of the scrum-half role in top-level rugby.
The job description of a 9 has changed and Gibson-Park and Dupont are leading the latest evolution," Youngs said.
"The stock of a 9 has gone up, firstly because of the fact that exits have become so important in a game of rugby. It wasn’t too long ago that the ball would be passed back to the No 10. If you think of the Jonny Wilkinson-Matt Dawson era everything would have been passed back to Jonny who would boot it a mile.
“Even when I started there wasn’t a big emphasis on a 9 being able to box-kick. It was something you practised a little bit but it wasn’t such an important aspect. What was valued higher then was your ability to make breaks, your ability to speed up the game and your service.
“The role has evolved hugely so that not only does the 9 have to be a running threat but they also have to be an expert box kicker and an absolute master of controlling the tempo and fluidity of the game.
“Gibson-Park and Dupont have nailed all that and then there’s the other work they do. You look at Gibson-Park in the back field against Northampton and his ability to take the high ball and then return the kick… Dupont is in the defensive line a lot, making tackles and hitting forwards. It wasn’t expected of you as a 9 to do that stuff.
“There’s always someone that comes along and raises the ceiling for a position. Those two are doing that and going to keep pushing it. What are they going to add next?
“This showdown between them in the European final is going to be fantastic.”
Both men are sure to play a key role in determining whether Leinster either match Toulouse in adding a fifth star to their jersey, or watch on as the French side extend their Champions Cup tally to an unprecented six.
