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What uncapped Lynagh took away from his fleeting England look-in
By Liam Heagney
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.
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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
