Ireland's Gibson-Park highlights aerial battle as key against England

Jamison Gibson-Park has underlined the significance of the aerial contest in determining the outcome of Ireland’s Six Nations opener against England.

The scrum-half believes that mastering the kicking game and competing effectively in the air will be crucial when the two sides meet in Dublin.

With referees increasingly penalizing blockers protecting receivers from high kicks, teams have had to adapt their aerial strategies. The adjustment has led to an increase in one-on-one aerial contests, making high-ball battles a critical aspect of modern rugby.

England, under Steve Borthwick, have been one of the most prolific kicking teams, averaging 29.9 kicks per match in 2024 Test fixtures. Notably, they retained possession from 17% of their kicks in last year’s Six Nations, the highest success rate among all teams.

In contrast, Ireland had the lowest retention rate, with only 6% of their kicks being recovered, highlighting a potential area for improvement ahead of their clash at the Aviva Stadium.

England’s decision to recall 6ft 5in full-back Freddie Steward—who played only three times for the national side last year—suggests they are prioritizing aerial dominance. Steward has been aerially commanding throughout his international career, making him a key weapon in England’s kicking game.

Speaking ahead of the game, Gibson-Park, who is set to earn his 39th cap, acknowledged the increasing role of the aerial contest in deciding matches.

"Yeah, it’s big, especially in this day and age," he said when discussing the importance of competing for high balls.

"We’ve touched on the new laws, and it’s a massive contest in the air that can swing games massively, so you are certainly going to have to be on it from a kicking game and an aerial game as well.

"That’s a huge part of the game, and hopefully, we go well at it."

With both teams focusing heavily on the aerial battle, the contest in Dublin could be shaped by who executes their kicking game more effectively, making it a key factor in determining the opening result of the Six Nations campaign.