Louis Lynagh, the excellent Harlequins winger and former England under-20s star, is set to make a high-profile move to Benetton, paving the way to play for Italy and, perhaps, a World Cup berth in Australia in 2027.
The 23-year-old son of Wallabies legend Michael Lynagh, Louis was born in Treviso when his father was playing for the club, making him eligible to play for Australia, England and Italy.
But, having played for England at junior level as an outside back and later being called into Eddie Jones’ national squad, Lynagh looks set to turn his back on pursuing a career for the Red Roses by moving to Europe.
The latest development comes after Lynagh was reportedly not offered an extension by Harlequins.
Louis Lynagh is set to move to Italy after sensationally not being offered a contract extension by Harlequins. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)
Making the noise out of the London club all the more surprising is that Lynagh played a pivotal role in their stunning Premiership final victory over Exter Chiefs in 2021, where he scored a double.
That tryscoring form has continued, with the outside back scoring twice against Ulster last month.
Lynagh has attracted plenty of interest from Premiership and French clubs, while former Italy head coach Kieran Crowley first sounded out the outside back two years ago.
Should he join Benetton, he would be linking up with an Italian side on the rise in the United Rugby Championship, with 17 players currently featuring in new Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada’s Six Nations squad.
Lyangh’s younger brother, Tom, made a strong impression in his rookie season for the Queensland Reds last year.
The blonde-haired, baby-faced playmaker wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, a Queensland and Australian great, by playing for the Reds.
CRUSADERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP DEFENCE TAKES ANOTHER HIT
New Crusaders coach Rob Penney has copped another blow ahead of the Super Rugby season, with high-profile recruit Leigh Halfpenny ruled out for up to four months.
The British and Irish Lions outside back injured his pectoral muscle against Munster last weekend.
It’s a cruel blow for Halfpenny, who made the move to the Crusaders after a decorated career for Wales.
It’s also another massive kick in the guts for new coach Penney, who was sacked early in his second season with the Waratahs in 2021, and has an almighty task stepping into the void left by Scott Robertson’s appointment as All Blacks coach.
“He will have surgery up here, and once he is ready to fly he will come back home and rehab in Christchurch,” assistant coach Tamati Ellison said in Bristol before the Crusaders play the Bears on Saturday morning NZT in a pre-season fixture.
“It is a real bummer for him. Especially having time here at the hotels and with the group. He is just really starting to open up, and get the best out of him.
“He will still help, even during his rehab period, around some of the kicking and the game-driving for a few of our younger boys. He has been great there, already.”
The Crusaders have suffered a huge blow with Wales great Leigh Halfpenny to miss up to four months. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
With Richie Mo’unga heading to Japan, the Crusaders were hoping Halfpenny’s experience would help ease the loss of the star playmaker.
The kings of Super Rugby are already without Braydon Ennor, while Fergus Burke, who was hoped to fill the void of Mo’unga, will also miss the opening couple of months of the season.
Rivez Reihana will wear the No.10 jersey against the Bears.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
And we SH fans dont follow your comp either but just like you, if Munster or Toulon etc came to town Id be interested in watching it. You cant tell me that the crowd numbers from both the Munster and Bristol matches dont show a very clear interest from those teams fans to see the Saders.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
And yet both matches were sell-outs FB. Im not saying Munster or Bristol fans follow Super rugby Im saying the Saders were obviousely well enough known to sell 70+k in tickets.
Intotouch
Roar Rookie
No. No t-shirts. Not even a conversation about it a week later apart from “it wasn’t that great was it?” The match wasn’t considered a classic by anyone who watched it. People in Munster do actually love great rugby and we celebrate great matches. Not forgettable ones. Still, it was nice to be in a stadium with a big crowd. We all hoped for more after last years Munster v South Africa at the same venue. That was really exciting and really boosted the confidence of the b players who played in it. I guess our expectations were too high. Very few people here watch super rugby and knowing the name of more than one or two New Zealand teams is rare.
AndyS
Roar Rookie
Agree that is probably what gives him the greater connection to the place, but in the list of eligibility criteria place of birth does come first. Not sure it is actually an order of precedence, but it is the first box he ticks.
woodart
Roar Rookie
I think YOU underestimate how ANY rugby win over ANY kiwi team is celebrated in ireland funbust.
yorkshireman
Roar Rookie
Seems like every article about Louis Lynagh mentions him being born in Treviso as his eligibility to rep for Italy. He could have been born in Timbuktu and still be eligible… his mum is Italian, but that’s never mentioned.
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
I love watching the Crusaders and though a tah fan have no problems if the great Crusaders win it again. Just play great team rugby where everyone is on the same page. It’s a privilege to watch .
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I dont remember tbh.
Mirt
Roar Rookie
Didn’t the Tahs tour Argentina before their ‘14 success?
FunBus
Roar Rookie
I think you might be overestimating how big a deal SR is in the ‘North’ Jacko.
Mirt
Roar Rookie
It’s almost as if he’s said to himself “ok I’m not gonna make it on the big boys team, I’ll have to give Italy a crack”. After all it’s where he was born. And there are a few wingers in Aus now.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Very smart. Earnt them a NZ $3mil profit after costs.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yes CPM the Munster fans will have posters made of the famous victory they had over the Saders..... All in a preseason game with not a AB in sight. What a major win in history.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Schmidt needs to sit down and have a chat to Louis Lynagh...He is a talent for sure ..But ...He still has a lot to learn ..If he wants to fastrack to international rugby by playing for Italy how can that possibly be a good long term career move ? ..? .....Makes zero sense ....But I wouldnt select him now just to cap him..Either you want to play for your country or you dont ....But Italy ? Seriously ..
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
Nice list except thats the squad under Gibson. Cristy already called this out yet you still haven't edited or deleted your comment? Why is that?
Coker
Roar Rookie
I think you're confusing Penney with Gibson...
Coker
Roar Rookie
They certainly won't miss Halfpenny given they've never had him, but it'd be the height of optimism to think Mo'unga won't leave an absolute gaping hole. Especially when you see what's left behind — I don't think any soup team has been successful with such a lack of experience at 10. Spencer, Mehrtens, Larkham, Carter, Cooper, Cruden, Foley, Sopoaga and Barrett all had at least a couple of seasons behind them before guiding their respective teams to victory. Even Mo'unga himself had a full season starting before kicking into gear in 2017.
Rocky's Rules
Roar Rookie
No blow to Crusaders imo. As ex great FB Leigh Halfpenny is now 35 and is mainly a defensive kicking style FB he was never a goof fit for the Saders imo. He would have struggled to get game time against younger, now better and faster Kiwi FBs :stoked:
CPM
Roar Rookie
They are not that great to be honest. Even with 9 players on 6N duty and with their two monster Springbok World Cup winning locks they are only in 11th place in the URC log.
Cannonball
Roar Rookie
Too right. Penney got a very rough deal…