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What uncapped Lynagh took away from his fleeting England look-in
Harlequins assistant Nick Evans has spoken about how what England prospect Louis Lynagh made of last September’s training camp with Eddie Jones and whether his omission from the latest squad has left the door open for the uncapped winger to possibly represent Australia, the land of his legendary Wallabies father Michael.
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It was last June, in the wake of Harlequins’ stunning Gallagher Premiership title success, that the 1991 World Cup winner bemoaned the inaction of England in tracking the progress of his soon-to-be 21-year-old son.
Lynagh was overlooked by Jones for the summer series but he was chosen for the 45-strong England squad that attended a late September mini-training camp in London. The Italian-born youngster came back from that experience and quickly scored twice in his club’s hammering of Bristol.
However, that form wasn’t enough for him to be included in the England squad of 34 that was confirmed last week by Jones for the upcoming November games versus Tonga, Australia and South Africa. With no Test debut on the horizon, it means that Lynagh remains uncaptured at international level and potentially available to be called up by either Australia or Italy.
It’s an unfolding situation that Evans, the Kiwi who has been at Harlequins for more than a decade as a player and now a coach, is monitoring with interest. “Someone is going to have to get quick,” he suggested to RugbyPass when asked about Lynagh’s Test level eligibility for three different countries. “It is a bit of a race at the moment. Let’s see who gets him first.”
It couldn't happen, could it? 🇦🇺 🏉🏴
"It would be an intriguing and timely plot twist given he was recently left out of Eddie Jones’ England squad."https://t.co/BW3VHVBfCT— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 25, 2021
The England training camp that Lynagh attended in September was only a two-day gathering but he came back to Harlequins seemingly enthused by what he had witnessed and eager to get down to making some improvements in his game. “He really loved it,” continued Evans about Lynagh’s fleeting time in the England set-up. “Louis loves just playing rugby and his form warranted a call up to be involved.
“What has been really good is he was in there, had a look around, felt what it is like, saw the players and what is expected of them when you go to an England camp. He has seen how they operate, the level that you need to be at, and he has come back and has talked about it. He has really enjoyed that part of it and has worked on how he can implement some of that into his game.
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“He is just not quite at the level that Eddie needs or wants at the moment and that is for us and him to work on together, work hard for him and keep him playing well, keep playing well for Quins. You put in performances like he has been doing and you will keep knocking on the door.”
How England 'Funbus' Leonard amusingly frightened Wallabies legend Michael Lynagh 16 years ago following an incident at Richmond mini rugby training…#EXEvHAR #GallagherPremFinalhttps://t.co/XrLhdbMAsj
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 24, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
smith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
37 Go to comments