Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Son of Wallabies legend set for Super Rugby after signing long-term deal with Queensland Reds

Michael Lynagh's (pictured) footsteps will be followed in after his son Tom signed for the Queensland Reds. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)

The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) has today announced the Queensland Reds have signed skilful flyhalf Tom Lynagh through 2023.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tom is set to follow in the footsteps of his father Michael at the Reds, joining his new Queensland team-mates mid next year on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

The 17-year-old is currently playing within the Harlequins and England Academy system in the UK where he continues to impress and draw parallels with his father.

Video Spacer

Healthspan Elite Performance of the Week | The Pumas star who out-tackled the All Blacks | Aotearoa Rugby Pod

Video Spacer

Healthspan Elite Performance of the Week | The Pumas star who out-tackled the All Blacks | Aotearoa Rugby Pod

Described by the great Queensland and Australian coach Bob Templeton as the “best footballer we have ever produced,” Michael Lynagh represented his country in 72 tests – 15 as captain, in a 12-year international career that included a World Cup victory in 1991 as the Australian vice-captain.

He also played 100 games for Queensland and captained the Reds in three seasons (1988, 1990-91) during his time at Ballymore.

Tom’s signing continues a proud Queensland tradition of father-son pairings to have played for the Reds which includes Sam Scott-Young and also Brendan Nasser whose son’s Angus and Josh are in the current Queensland squad.

Reds general manager of professional rugby Sam Cordingley said: “We are excited to welcome Tom to Queensland next year.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Like his father, Tom is a very astute five-eighth, but he has certainly created his own path. Tom has genuine x-factor with ball in hand which is supported by his point of difference in speed and acceleration.  His kicking game is also impressive both out of hand and at goal,” said Cordingley.

“As a developing talent Tom is held in the highest regard internationally given he qualifies for multiple nations. We are really pleased that he has committed to the Reds and Australian Rugby.”

Reds head coach Brad Thorn said: “It’ll be great to have Tom as part of our program next year.

“He will get a chance to develop alongside players such as James O’Connor. With Tom coming in and Taj Annan from BBC committing through 2023 also, we are in a good place.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Tom is currently in the English and Harlequins Academies which is a great rugby system. He’ll have the opportunity to continue to develop here at Queensland. We look forward to seeing his progression,” said Thorn.

Reds recruit Tom Lynagh said: “I am very excited about joining the Reds next year.

“I have been watching the team develop over the past few seasons form here in the UK. There are some really exciting young players playing a good style of rugby.

“I am very grateful to the Queensland Reds as it is a wonderful opportunity for me to develop as a rugby player and a person.

“It will be great to meet all the other squad members, coaches and all those involved in the Reds community,” said Lynagh.

Tom, who is eligible to play for Australia, England and Italy – the home country of his mother and his birthplace, respectively – will officially join the Reds in August next year.

– Queensland Reds

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

1 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING 'World-class finisher' offers All Blacks selection solution Mark Tele'a scores a double at Allianz Stadium
Search