Ireland scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park's decision-making and quickfire passing reminds his former Leinster team-mate Mike Ross of France's long tradition of having 'a petit general.'
New Zealand-born Gibson-Park, perhaps stung by being on the replacements bench for the Six Nations match against Italy, turned in a man of the match performance in the 42-21 hammering of England last month.
The 34-year-old's assured display had a positive knock-on impact on fly-half Jack Crowley, who had come in for Sam Prendergast.
Former prop Ross, who was capped 61 times and was a member of two Six Nations title-winning sides, said Gibson-Park has few peers at the moment.
'I would put only Dupont ahead of him,' said Ross.
'His clarity and decisions make playing for the other players easy to do.'
Ross does not know whether being put on the bench against Italy, after starting in the 36-14 humbling by France the week before, was coach Andy Farrell wanting to 'rest Gibson-Park' or give him a 'kick in the ass.'
However, Ross, who won two European Cups with Leinster before hanging up his boots in 2017, said Gibson-Park like any professional player would have been bristling watching Craig Casey start the match.
'No player wants to give his opponent a chance in the jersey,' said 46-year-old Ross.
