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Louis Lynagh still available for Wallabies or Italy after missing England ship
By AAP
Louis Lynagh will have to wait to follow in the Test match footsteps of his dad Michael after being overlooked for his England debut by coach Eddie Jones.
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Lynagh, 21-year-old son of the former Wallabies great, had made the cut for England’s 28-man squad for the first time before Saturday’s match against France in Paris.
It had led to suggestions that Jones was thinking of blooding the Harlequins specialist wing in his 23 for the first time to freshen up England’s misfiring attack.
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Lynagh is a man in demand, with interest from both Italy, where both he and his mother were born, and also Australia, for whom his dad was a World Cup winner in 1991 at Twickenham just across the road from where junior now plays for the Quins.
Instead, Jones sprang a different surprise on Thursday in his bid to stop France winning the grand slam, shifting fullback Freddie Steward to the wing and pushing George Furbank into the 15 shirt.
After Max Malins was dropped from the squad, Lynagh looked to be in with a serious chance of wearing the number 14 jersey but Jones says that, even with the tactical shift, he’s picked what he believes is England’s strongest 23.
Ben Youngs, England’s most capped player, has also been brought back to start at scrum-half instead of Harry Randall.
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With Kyle Sinckler recovering from the concussion sustained against Ireland, he’s limited to a bench role as support for the starting Will Stuart.
Charlie Ewels’ second-minute red card in the 32-15 defeat by Ireland means Nick Isiekwe wins a third start in the Six Nations at lock while Sam Underhill comes in for the injured Tom Curry at openside.
It’s a crucial game for England’s Australian coach Jones, whose team could end up finishing one-from-bottom in the Championship for a second successive year if they lose while results in the other two games go against them.
“We are disappointed not to be in contention for the trophy but last week’s effort against Ireland was full of pride, energy and tactical discipline,” Jones said.
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“We have focused on refreshing the team this week and we are ready to empty the tank on Saturday.”
Lynagh, who has impressed Jones with regular appearances in the extended training squad, will have to be patient to make his debut after also being courted by Australia and Italy to throw in his lot with them.
He will be hoping to be included in the England squad to tour Australia for three Tests in July.
ENGLAND TEAM: G Furbank (Northampton Saints); F Steward (Leicester Tigers), J Marchant (Harlequins), H Slade (Exeter Chiefs), J Nowell (Exeter Chiefs); M Smith (Harlequins), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers); E Genge (Leicester Tigers), J George (Saracens), W Stuart (Bath Rugby), M Itoje (Saracens), N Isiekwe (Saracens), C Lawes (Northampton Saints), S Underhill (Bath Rugby), S Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs).
RESERVES: N Dolly (Leicester Tigers), J Marler (Harlequins), K Sinckler (Bristol Bears), O Chessum (Leicester Tigers), A Dombrandt (Harlequins), H Randall (Bristol Bears), G Ford (Leicester Tigers), E Daly (Saracens).
