Next in Lynagh ... Michael Lynagh’s son Tom signs for Queensland Reds

The Reds have resurrected one of the most iconic names in Wallabies history, plucking him from the English system.

Young Tom Lynagh in action with the Harlequins Academy team

The Queensland Reds have resurrected one of the most iconic names in Australian rugby, plucking the 17-year-old son of the Wallabies’ original World Cup-winning five-eighth, Michael Lynagh, out of the English system and signing him through to 2023.

At present, young Tom Lynagh is in his final year at Epsom College in London and playing at five-eighth for Harlequins and the England Academy, but while his older brother, Louis, seems perfectly content for the moment playing in the UK – he made his Premiership debut last month for Harlequins at fullback – Tom made the decision himself to come to Australia.

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“He came to me a few months back for a chat and said he would really like to look at going out to Australia,” his father, Michael, said from his home in London on Monday. “He said he likes the way they play rugby in Australia and New Zealand and he felt the hard grounds would suit him.”

Lynagh, who captained the Wallabies, advised him to put together a highlights reel, which he did. And even though his father attends all his games, he was still surprised at the range of skills captured on the package. He then sent it off to old Queensland and Australian teammate Paul Carozza to cast his eye over.

Carozza, the boss of the Reds Academy, took one look at it and immediately referred to Queensland coach Brad Thorn and Reds football general manager Sam Cordingley. Within a head-spinningly brief time, all three were on a Zoom call to the other side of the world in October and earlier this month they signed the deal with the next generation of Lynaghs.

Scott Johnson, Rugby Australia’s director of rugby, was well aware of the Reds’ interest and more than happy to encourage it. Given that he is also a Wallabies selector, it’s a fair bet that Dave Rennie will quickly become aware of the signing, if he is not already.

Michael Lynagh, left, with his sons Louis, second from left, and Tom Lynagh in 2017

Tom intends to finish his final year at school – where he is captain of Epsom College’s First XV which, cruelly, may not get to play any matches because of the coronavirus pandemic – and will arrive at Ballymore, the ground his father graced during a 13-year career in the 1980s and 1990s, in August to begin pre-season training for the 2022 Super Rugby season

Like his father – who earned his lifelong nickname of “Noddy” by turning up at Queensland training in 1982 and silently nodding as he was given instructions – Tom is a quiet soul but he impressed the three Reds bosses with his determination and willingness to learn.

Son of a gun ... Tom Lynagh lines up a kick for goal playing for Epsom College

Dad Michael Lynagh playing for the Wallabies

“Tom was pretty keen to learn from James O’Connor, but obviously he wants a crack himself,” said Cordingley.

The Reds are keen to re-sign O’Connor through to the 2023 World Cup, but his value to the organisation could be immeasurably increased if he takes on the role of mentor to Lynagh.

Lynagh senior, managing director Dow Jones Corporate EMEA, never steered any of his three sons – his youngest Nick, 13, is also at the Quins Academy – into rugby.

“They have all played all sports but for some reasons they have gravitated to rugby,” he said. “My wife, Isabella and I support whatever they want to do. But every parent of an athlete wants them to compete at the international level and in rugby that means Test matches. The question is for which country: they all are qualified to represent Australia, Italy (their mother’s country) and England, where they reside.”

“They have Italian-Australian passports,” said Lynagh. Indeed, Tom was actually born in Montebelluna, Italy, where his father played for five seasons with the Benetton Treviso side. “And that is where their allegiances probably lie, with those two countries.”

Tom Lynagh plays the same position as his father and even kicks goals like he did

It is hardly surprising the Reds took one look at Lynagh’s highlights tape and moved so smartly to sign him. The reel shows a quick-stepping inside back with incredible acceleration. At first glance, he seems very reminiscent of Isaac Lucas, who played the opening game of the season for the Reds at five-eighth before taking an overseas offer when COVID forced Rugby Australia to introduce pay cuts.

Like Lynagh Sr, who was world Test pointscoring record holder at 911 points when he retired in 1995, Tom is a champion goalkicker. But like his father – who was advised by British Lions ace Ollie Campbell to find his own way of doing thing – he has arrived at his own style. That said, he stands over his kick with the same authority as did his dad.