Son of Wallaby legend gets shock Six Nations call-up
NEWS: Harlequins wing Louis Lynagh has been added to Gonzalo Quesada’s Italy squad this week as they prepare to face France in Lille in Round Three of the Six Nations.
Lynagh signed a two-year contract with Benetton, the United Rugby Championship club revealed on Monday.
The 23-year-old will join the Italian side from Premiership club Harlequins at the end of the season in the hopes of presenting the Azzurri.
However, it seems that those ambitions could come sooner than expected as Lynagh received a call-up to Italy's Six Nations squad as they prepare for France.
The son of Australian legend Michael Lynagh, Louis was born in Italy and has an Italian mother. He also qualifies for England, having represented them at age-grade level, and was even called into the England squad under Eddie Jones.
Lynagh has followed in the footsteps of his future Benetton, and possibly Italy, teammate Paolo Odogwu, who also opted to pursue an international career with Italy having previously featured in England camps. Odogwu made his Italy debut last year before making their World Cup squad but missed out on the Six Nations with an Achilles injury.
After his departure from Harlequins was announced this week, Lynagh said: “It’s been a difficult decision to leave my boyhood club, but I feel the time is right for a new challenge in Italy.
“I have loved my time at Quins and made lifelong friends, working with some of the best players, coaches, and staff, and achieving the ultimate Premiership success in 2021.
“I would like to thank all the Quins fans who have supported me over my career, it’s been amazing to play in front of a packed Stoop every week, and I can’t wait for a massive finish to our season.”
Harlequins director of rugby Billy Millard added: “Louis has been a pleasure to work with and we have been proud to see him develop from our Academy to the first-team squad. He has certainly had some great moments in his short career to date and is a popular figure across the Club.
“His 2020/21 season in particular showcased his ability and try-scoring strength. We’re excited to watch his career develop further at Benetton and potentially for Italy. We wish him the very best as he seeks to build his career in Italy.”
Italy Squad:
Forwards: Simone Ferrari, Danilo Fishetti, Matteo Nocera, Luca Rizzoli, Mirco Spanish, Giosuè Zilocchi, Gianmarco Lucchesi , Marco Manfredi, Giacomo Nicotera , Matteo Canali, Niccolò Cannone , Federico Ruzza , Andrea Zambonin, Riccardo Favretto , Alessandro Izekor , Michele Lamaro , Ross Vintcent, Manuel Zuliani
Backs: Alessandro Garbisi, Martin Page-relo, Stephen Varney, Paolo Garbisi, Leonardo Marin, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Federico Mori, Marco Zanon, Ange Capuozzo, Monty Ioane, Simone Gesi, Louis Lynach, Francois Mey, Lorenzo Pani.
*Additional source: Rugbypass