Italy call on son of Aussie gun Lynagh
Italy have turned to the son of an Australian great to help them achieve an unlikely win against title-chasing Scotland in the Six Nations tomorrow.
Winger Louis Lynagh, the son of former Australia captain Michael Lynagh, has been handed a test debut by Azzurri coach Gonzalo ●uesada for the match at the Stadio Olimpico, after being called up for the first time less than a month ago.
“We had a good look at him in the week before the France match, we saw some very interesting things,” ●uesada said. “If he’s here it’s because of the great work done by the Italian federation in the past two years to have him playing for us.”
He’ll be marking Duhan van der Merwe, the Scotland wing who became the first player to score a hat-trick against England in the Six Nations era two weeks ago.
The 23-year-old Lynagh plays for English club Harlequins and was called up by England coach Eddie Jones without being capped. He’s been overlooked by current England coach Steve Borthwick, and last month signed a deal to move to Benetton Treviso after this season.
Lynagh was born in Treviso, Italy, where his father played in the early 1990s. Michael had 72 tests as an inside back for Australia, retiring after his third Rugby World Cup in 1995 as captain and the world record points holder.
Lynagh comes in for Tommaso Menoncello, who has moved back to inside center.
Scotland are the Six Nations team Italy has beaten the most — seven victories in the tournament and eight overall — but not since 2015.
The Scots aren’t vying for the wooden spoon like they used to, though. With two wins out of three, they are unbeaten Ireland’s closest title rivals. Gregor Townsend’s team face Ireland in the last round next week. In the meantime, they are expected to give Italy a ninth straight tournament defeat.
“Everyone is saying defeat is a given. I’m Latino, that’s something I like,” ●uesada said. “Scotland knows that it needs a bonus point in Rome but I don’t think they will play taking excessive risks.
“Our aim will be to put on them the most pressure possible to limit the time they have to choose and their options . . . that’s the only way to stop them from turning on the motor and accelerating.”
Italy are winless but drew against France in their last outing, missing out on an historic win when a rushed, last-gasp penalty hit the post.
Returning after injuries are flanker Sebastian Negri in the starting side and Lorenzo Cannone in the reserves.
Scotland have given starts to flanker Andy Christie and backs Cameron Redpath and George Horne after they came off the bench in the 30-21 win over England. It will be a first start for Scotland for Saracens flanker Christie.
Redpath is at second five-eighth after Sione Tuipulotu was ruled out of the final two matches by a knee injury against England.
Tuipulotu’s injury is a blow. He’s formed a great partnership with Huw Jones for Scotland and Glasgow. But Redpath plays beside Finn Russell at Bath.
“Sione’s one of our leaders,” Townsend said. “He’s a wise man for someone who isn’t that old. Yes, we miss him but Cam is in the defensive leadership group. He’s been in great form.”