Lynagh on Australia’s radar after Jones snub
Louis Lynagh has come on to Australia’s radar again after Eddie Jones left the Harlequins wing out of England’s squad for the autumn internationals.
The Wallabies arrived in the United Kingdom yesterday facing a significant headache over the fitness of full-back Reece Hodge, who suffered a pectoral injury in the 32-23 victory against Japan on Saturday. Reports in the Australian press suggested that Lynagh was being considered as an injury callup if Hodge is ruled out of their Test matches against Scotland, England and Wales.
As long as he remains uncapped, Lynagh, the son of Wallabies legend Michael, remains eligible for selection for three countries – England, Australia and Italy, the country of his birth. The 20-year-old was included in England’s training squad earlier this month, but missed the cut for the autumn internationals, even after Anthony Watson suffered an
ACL injury.
Last week Jones seemed unperturbed by the prospect of Australia or Italy pitching for Lynagh’s allegiance. “It’s his choice,” the England head coach said. “At the end of the day, he makes the choice of where he wants to play. We’ve indicated our interest in him. We think he’s a very good player, but there are things he needs to tidy up. We’re not in a selection battle with other countries to pick players. I firmly believe that, if a player wants to play for England, they commit to playing for England. If they don’t, they’re not the sort of player we want.” Lynagh has represented England at age-grade level and seemed set to win full honours in the summer Tests after playing a starring role in Harlequins’ Premiership title triumph. However, despite Italy and Australia making contact with him, the family heard nothing from the Rugby Football Union, which led to his father Michael making an angry social post. “It is not about being selected or not,” he wrote. “The issue is that nobody from the RFU has spoken to him. He has played England U16, U18 and U19, he lives one mile from Twickenham, he plays for Quins – yet nobody has even had a chat with him. How many other young kids are in the same boat?”
Earlier this year, Lynagh’s younger brother, Tom, moved from Harlequins to the Brisbane Reds and declared that it was his dream to represent Australia. It is understood that Louis still wants to pursue the England path, but is not closing any doors and earlier this month Australia head coach Dave Rennie confirmed he would be keeping close tabs on developments. “Obviously Eddie’s well aware of his lineage and [the need to] catch him quickly,” Rennie said.
Other possible injury cover options available to Rennie include Luke Morahan, the Bristol Bears winger, and Kurtley Beale, the Racing 92 playmaker.