LYNAGH DUTY!
LOUIS LYNAGH ON THE PRESSURE OF LIVING UP TO HIS FAMOUS FATHER’S NAME
LOUIS LYNAGH is fully aware of the expectation his name brings. As the eldest son of Australian World Cup-winning legend Michael, he is already used to carrying that weight.
‘I knew it was a thing — especially when I played at school,’ Harlequins’ newest star, 20, tells Sportsmail. ‘People expected me to do great things every time, and the one time I dropped a catch people would go, “Oh, he’s not that good... he’s living in his dad’s shadow” and all that.
‘He’d say himself I’m making my own career, not based off him. It helps he is who he is, and he can help me see the game differently, and practise my skills, but it’s my career.’
In truth, Lynagh is quite relaxed about the whole thing. Father Michael has by no means pushed him — not even showing his sons his 1991 World Cup winner’s medal until they asked to see it.
For Louis, having a famous dad has afforded him some unique experiences and funny stories. ‘I kind of always knew he was on TV and people would say, “Do you know who his dad is?” but it was never at the forefront of my mind,’ he says. ‘ He told me that on my first day of rugby training at Richmond when I was five there was me, Jack Leonard — Jason’s son — and Enzo Dallaglio — Lawrence’s son — and all three of the dads were on the sidelines watching us play.
‘The coach said, “Can you just go away!? It’s a bit daunting for everyone!” Jason called my dad after, it was a jokey call but he said, “Our sons fought!” Pretty funny. It had to be Jason’s son!’
And then there were the dinner party guests at the Richmond family home where he still lives.
‘I’d think, “It’s just one of my dad’s old friends”,’ Lynagh continues. ‘It was only when I got older I realised they were Sean Fitzpatrick or Tim Horan. Tim would say, “I remember coming to dinner when you were four” and I’d be like, “What!?” It’s pretty cool. I don’t mean to sound arrogant saying, “Oh I met this guy” or “We went to a Rolling Stones concert with X” — I know I’m lucky, and realise how fortunate I am to have my dad in my corner.’
With a frizz of curly blond hair and piercing blue eyes, there is no doubt Louis is his father’s son.
At 6ft he is two inches taller than Michael, and so far for Quins has shown hard- running talent out wide.
Fiddling with the zip on his tracksuit top, Lynagh betrays a little nervous excitement during his first national newspaper interview.
He is talking enthusiastically having signed a long-term deal with the club he joined at 14, 20 months after completing A Levels in geography, psychology and English literature at Hampton School.
Lynagh wishes he had done maths and will try to add that and an economic history degree at the London School of Economics to his c.v. while playing.
Like his father, who works for Dow Jones, he is interested in finance — but that can wait.
‘It’s just the beginning of bigger and greater things, for me and the club hopefully,’ Lynagh says on signing up, having scored two tries in eight senior matches from the wing since his debut last October.
Lynagh is a confident, wellbrought-up lad who despite his heritage speaks with an accent typical of a boy from a home counties public school.
Despite living in England for 15 of his 20 years he is not particularly English, though.
Born in Treviso to an Italian mother, Isabella, who Michael had met when playing for the city’s club in the 1990s, he is something of a hybrid with relatives in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and northern Italy.
Supporting one team growing up was tricky, then.
‘God, it was a bit of an issue when teams played each other,’ he laughs.
‘When England played anyone I used to say, “I’m supporting Wales!” just to p*** my mates off. They would say, “You’re English!” and I’d say, “I’m literally not! I wasn’t born here!”
‘When it was Australia v Italy I wasn’t sure who to support!
‘It’s cool to experience different cultures. I’m really thankful.’
Talent clearly runs in the Lynagh
‘I know how lucky I am to have Dad in my corner’
genes. Louis’s brother, Tom, will move to the Queensland Reds in July to work under Wallaby James O’Connor, and 14-year-old Nicolo is also in the Quins academy. For Louis, the issue of his international allegiance will surely come up soon. Lynagh has played for England Under 16s, 18s and 19s, but does not need to commit yet. ‘Dad was proud of me playing England age group — not annoyed at all,’ explains Lynagh. ‘ When I was 16 there were a few Australians who commented on Facebook saying I shouldn’t be playing for England. Under 16s is not the end of the world! ‘I was thinking, “Is this what it is going to be like?” ‘If my game starts picking up I’ll worry about that when teams start calling. If I drop off then there’s no reason to worry about international colours.’
At Quins, Mike Brown is a wise mentor. The England full back told Lynagh to pick a sporting hero.
‘I went for Patrick Vieira,’ said the Arsenal fan, who laughs when reminded he was three when the Frenchman led the Invincible Gunners in 2004.
‘He was not the flashiest but did everything right, was a massive competitor and someone everyone respected.’
Lynagh is helping push Quins towards trophies. The Londoners face Northampton tomorrow third in the Premiership, the shackles now off after coach Paul Gustard’s departure.
Having earned a first shot, and a new contract, Lynagh is determined to prove he is his own man. ‘If I fail it’s not anyone else’s fault,’ he concludes.
‘Everything is here on a silver platter, but only if I go after it. If I don’t play well there’s no point in me being here. I warrant being considered for selection now and hopefully get more opportunities. ‘Who knows where it leads to? The sky is the limit.’
It is not just Lynagh’s name that is impressive.
‘Dad was proud of my England caps...but a few Aussies said I shouldn’t be playing for them!’