‘Heart of a lion’: The making of Tom Lynagh

In a parallel world, Wallabies five-eighth Tom Lynagh could have been preparing for the first Test in Brisbane in the red of the British and Irish Lions.

Four years ago, Lynagh had a choice to make that would change his life. He could stay in England and join the Harlequins academy or move to the Queensland Reds, where his father Michael was a legend. At Harlequins, four years above him was a generational talent, Marcus Smith who had nailed down the No.10 jersey. Lynagh moved to Australia and will start against the Lions, with Smith poised to come off the bench at Suncorp Stadium.

Former Ireland five-eighth and director of rugby at Epsom College, Paul Burke, watched the development of Lynagh throughout his time at the elite English boarding school. Burke is not surprised at Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt’s decision to throw Lynagh into the pressure cooker of a first Test against the Lions after just three caps. Burke remembers a player whose calmness in intense moments was matched by his courage against larger opponents.

“What I liked about him was that despite his diminishing figure, he was tenacious, he had the heart of a lion and he would not shirk a tackle, he would stand in the way of bigger opponents and had a load of courage,” Burke said.

“When you’ve got that mindset and with the talent that he already had, I knew he was destined for big things and I’m really excited to see now what happens against the Lions.”

At Epsom College, Lynagh was known for his humble personality, set against his reputation as an elite athlete in rugby, soccer and cricket.

Given his family heritage, rugby was always Lynagh’s first love and in his final year at school in 2021, Lynagh captained Epsom College in a COVID-affected year.

Wallabies five-eighth Tom Lynagh will start against the Lions on Saturday in BrisbaneCredit: Dion Georgopoulos

Lynagh and his teammates were unable to play a full season, but Burke watched the young playmaker spend hours working on his craft in preparation for bigger things to come.

“He would often go out on his own and just kick balls for hours, just to develop his skills, he was always wanting to get better,” Burke said.

“He also knew he had to physically work on his development like strength and conditioning, but there was no doubt in his footballing ability, his ability to read the game, his ability to keep the ball, move the ball and his speed.”

Lynagh’s move to Queensland was not without risk. Epsom College had a close relationship with Harlequins and had consistently provided the London club with professional players. In England, Lynagh was another talented player trying to make his way, in Brisbane, he carried the heavy name of a legend.

Lynagh was mentored at the Reds by James O’Connor and Tate McDermottCredit: Getty

Mick Heenan was Lynagh’s first coach at the University of Queensland Colts and later worked with him as an attack coach at the Reds.

The quiet, considered personality that had won Lynagh friends in Epsom had not changed when the young playmaker arrived for his first club training session in Brisbane.

“When he came in, he was quiet, pretty underdeveloped physically and small, a blond kid and you thought butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth, but also a great kid, just a really beautiful, humble guy,” Heenan said.

“You could also tell he was self-assured about his talent as well and you’ve seen that this year with the way he’s played for the Reds. I think you’ve seen him coming of age as a professional player.”

Like Burke, Heenan had no doubts about Lynagh’s ability as a footballer or his courage in defence. Lynagh then and now takes the ball extremely flat at the defensive line, essentially sacrificing himself physically to allow teammates into the game. Heenan knew he had all the basic ingredients to make a great professional, but his hardest work had to come in the gym.

“I thought definitely he had the makings of a pro player, but he had a lot of development to go through to get to where he’s at now,” Heenan said.

“He had to learn a lot about how to physically and mentally prepare for games at that level.

“I think the first year I had him at the Reds, I don’t think he got through a week of training, like he just couldn’t physically cope with it. But, as time’s gone on, he’s physically developed his capacity to work at the level you need to work at to be successful in pro rugby.”

Lynagh arrived in Brisbane with an English accent, but now speaks with a broad Australian twang. Heenan said that Lynagh was immediately popular with his teammates not just at the University of Queensland, but at the Reds where he was mentored closely by two future Wallabies teammates.

“It’s probably the Australian way, isn’t it? That you cop a little bit of stick, but I think it’s also the Australian way that if someone is doing their job, they’re accepted,” Heenan said.

“I think it was clear to his teammates that he always had the talent to make it and guys like Tate (McDermott) and James O’Connor have really helped him.

“When I was there (at the Reds), Tate would spend a lot of time with him and James would spend a lot of time with him and it was clear to everyone that he had the talent to make it. He just needed to find his voice and get more comfortable in the environment.”

Heenan will be watching the first Test in Brisbane, while his former school teacher Burke will be up early in Epsom to cheer on his former playmaker. Heenan has absolute confidence that Lynagh will stand up to his biggest test yet.

“It’s obviously a massive ask, but I think he can (do well), he’s got the raw material there, he’s got good people around him and he’s been coached well,” Heenan said.

“Tom’s great strength this year has been he’s underplayed his hand and he’s gotten early ball to the guys outside him.

“If you look at where the strengths of the Australian attack it’s in the centres and in the back three and Tom will do a good job at getting them early ball.

“His kicking is also outstanding and he’ll get the Wallabies in the right areas of the field.”

All matches of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia are live & on demand on Stan Sport, with Wallabies Tests in 4K. All Test matches live and free on Channel 9 & 9Now.