Wallabies injury raises Louis Lynagh tug-of-war possibility

An injury in the Australian camp has raised the intriguing possibility of a tug-of-war over the services of Harlequins’ Louis Lynagh.

The former England under 16 and 18 winger, who is the son of Wallaby legend Michael, is also eligible for Italy, the country of his birth.

Eddie Jones included the 20-year-old who played a dazzling role in Quins’ march to the Gallagher Premiership title in his early season training squad.

But despite liking what he saw, Jones told Lynagh he is not yet ready for the international cap that would tie him to England.

“Lewis Lynagh has done very well,” he said. “I spoke to him and he knows what he needs to work on. He’s a young guy who has played 16 or 17 Premiership games and is at the start of his career.

“He’s done very well to make the wider squad and although he hasn’t made this squad he was very close and he just needs to keep improving. There are various areas of his game he needs to tidy up a little bit – he understands that – and I’m sure he’ll do it.”

Fox Sports Australia has this morning reported that Melbourne Rebels full back Reece Hodge is “increasingly unlikely” to recover from the pectoral injury that forced him from the field during the first half of his country’s win over Japan on Saturday.

Reports from the Wallaby camp suggest the 27-year-old is having scans today. However, Rugby Australia’s management are said to be far from optimistic about his involvement in their opening Autumn International Series clash with Scotland.

Rugby Australia management have reportedly already met to discuss potential replacements and – perhaps mischievously - Fox suggests Lynagh could be a contender.

“Were RA to pick up the phone and try to coax Louis Lynagh to join them in camp it would also be an intriguing and timely plot twist given he was recently left out of Eddie Jones’ England squad and his younger brother, Tom, was delivered to Ballymore by his father in the winter,” they write.

Other possible candidates include Racing 92’s former Wasps star Kurtley Beale who is a veteran of 92 tests. However, selectorial opinion on the 32-year-old is said to be divided.

Should Hodge’s prognosis make him available for subsequent tests in Wales and England, the simplest option may be to utilise players already on the tour with Jordan Petaia, Andrew Kellaway and James O’Connor all possible fill-in options in the no.15 jersey at Murrayfield.

Bristol’s Luke Morahan is still battling a hamstring injury while Jesse Mogg (calf) and Waratahs fly half/full back Will Harrison (quad) are also out injured.