Tom Lynagh. It’s the name on everyone’s lips ahead of Saturday’s clash between Australia and the British and Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium. And for good reason.
The 22-year-old fly-half, born and raised in Richmond, London, will step onto the pitch for his first-ever Test start. A huge moment—not just for him, but for a Wallabies side looking for fresh direction.
Five years ago, he faced a crossroads. At just 17, stuck in the throes of lockdown and finishing school at Epsom College, Lynagh took a life-altering video call.
On screen? Former All Black Brad Thorn and ex-Wallaby Sam Cordingley. They offered a shot at the Queensland Reds. It meant uprooting his life. Leaving England behind. Sacrificing potential England or Italy call-ups.
He chose the harder path. “We all sat down, he thought about it, spoke to all the relevant parties and made a sensible, mature and informed decision,” said Paul Burke, his school director of rugby.
A gamble? Perhaps. But now, in front of a roaring Brisbane crowd, Lynagh will pull on the gold jersey. His father, Michael—Wallaby royalty—wore the same shirt 72 times. Big boots to fill.
But Tom’s carving his own path. From Epsom’s rugby fields to Queensland’s training grounds, Lynagh adapted fast. Behind the clean-cut image of a “posh lad from Richmond,” as some might say, lies a gritty competitor.
“Defensively he is tough,” says Jon Fisher of Queensland Reds. “You might think this is the posh lad from Richmond, but he is tough… He has got a hell of a boot, he is a running threat. I think he is ready.”
Still, it’s a leap from Reds’ debut in early 2023 to starting against the Lions in 2025. Three substitute caps. Just one hour of international rugby. Not ideal, admits head coach Joe Schmidt.
“It may be he has to learn quickly,” Schmidt remarked. Truth is, he might not have been here at all. If Noah Lolesio hadn’t suffered a neck injury, Lynagh may have been watching from the sidelines. But Test rugby often hinges on timing and opportunity.
He’s seized both. Lynagh’s not just a kicker. He’s crossed the try line four times this year in 13 appearances. He’s composed, sharp, and reads the game like a seasoned pro. That, combined with his unshakable calm, makes him more than a stand-in.
His opponent this weekend? Finn Russell. The Scotsman’s flair is renowned. He’s a veteran. Ten years Lynagh’s senior.
It’s a baptism by fire. Crash course or career launch? The rugby world is about to find out.
But those who know him, coaches, teammates, and even rivals-aren’t doubting his readiness. Whether it’s the schoolboy prodigy at Epsom or the measured young playmaker in Queensland, Lynagh’s proven one thing: he rises to the occasion.
And on Saturday, under the Brisbane sun, all eyes will be on him.
Match Info:
First Test: Australia vs British and Irish Lions
Date: Saturday, 19 July
Kick-off: 11:00 BST
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Coverage: BBC Sport website/app, BBC Radio 5 Live, Rugby Union Weekly podcast, and iPlayer
