Australia team to face Lions contains son of icon who broke Irish hearts in infamous World Cup clash at Lansdowne Road
In one case there's even a name that will hark back to an infamously painful defeat at the 1991 World Cup!
Advertisement
3
Michael Lynagh broke Irish hearts in Dublin on October 20 1991
Credit: Getty
3
His son Tom will be making his first start for Australia in tomorrow's 11am Irish time clash
Credit: Sportsfile
3
Andy Farrell hasn't included his fly-half son Owen in the matchday 23
Credit: PA
That's because one Tom Lynagh is starting
The 22-year-old is indeed the son of the legendary Michael. Like his 72-times capped old man, he plays fly-half.
The youngster only has three caps to his name and he's been fast-tracked into this spotlight match-up due to the unfortunate neck injury to first-choice 10 Noah Lolesio.
Michael is a legend of the game the world over on the back of his World Cup-winning heroics in 1991.
Advertisement
Read More On Irish Sport
But from a strictly Irish perspective, the first memory that jumps out when you mention his name and that tournament unfolded at the old Lansdowne Road.
Ireland was one of SIX host nations as the competition came to the northern hemisphere for the first time.
The others were the remainder of what we know as the Six Nations line-up in England, Wales, Scotland and France.
Ireland's customary quarter-final exit on that occasion was arguably the most painful of the lot.
Advertisement
Most read in Rugby Union
With home advantage against Australia they led 18-15 going into the dying moments only for Lynagh senior to finish off a slick move out wide where David Campese set him up to crash over the try line.
In the here and now, Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt has spoken glowingly of Queensland Reds star Tom Lynagh's 'quiet confidence' and pointed hopefully to the fact that he would at least be playing on his home ground at the Suncorp Stadium.
Andy Farrell wants end to social media 'nonsense' after son Owen's Lions call
The former Ireland head coach said: 'Probably not ideal to be starting your first Test match for the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions.
'But you've got to start somewhere, and if not now, when? I am confident that he'll cope and I'm very confident that he'll learn from the occasion.
Advertisement
'I'd like to think that we can still go out probably sharing Tom Lynagh's quiet confidence that we can put a game together that at least can keep the Lions pretty honest on the day.'
FAZZ START
Andy Farrell has urged his Irish-heavy Lions side to rise to the occasion, knowing they enter tomorrow's encounter as overwhelming favourites.
Farrell has picked eight of the players he knew from his day job and starts three more on the bench for the Brisbane clash. As expected,
Advertisement
Rónan Kelleher,
A powerful starting team also includes England's Tom Curry on the flank, with
With bulldozing Australia forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton ruled out by calf injuries yesterday, the odds are even more in the tourists' favour but Farrell insisted: 'There's no overconfidence at all.
'There's a realisation of what it is and what it means and how privileged we are.
Advertisement
"But that doesn't get in the way of how we prepare to make sure that we allow ourselves to be the best version of ourselves.'
WEAK WALES
Farrell saw no room for a Welshman in the best version of his team, with Curry preferred to the only remaining player from Wales in his squad, Jac Morgan.
It is the first time in nearly 130 years that there will be no Welsh representative on the pitch in a Lions Test.
Australia:
Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; James Slipper, Matt Faessler, Alan Ala'alatoa; Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams; Nick Champion de Crespigny, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (capt).
Advertisement
Replacements:
Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Tom Hooper, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Andrew Kellaway.
British and Irish Lions:
Hugo Keenan; Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Maro Itoje, Joe McCarthy; Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jack Conan.
Replacements:
Rónan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Bundee Aki.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
24 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
'It's nice to play rugby and get match-fit' - Tadhg Furlong back to his best but warns of second Test swing
While Tadhg Beirne grabbed the headlines in the British and Irish Lions' commanding first Test win in Melbourne, another Tadhg has also found his top form in Australia. Tadhg Furlong only played nine games for club and country in 2024/25 as he dealt with a series of niggling injuries, and arrived into Lions camp in June following a six-week layoff, with his final game in the domestic season coming in Leinster's Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints in early May. His place in the squad was by no means guaranteed, but having worked his way ahead of Will Stuart and Finlay Bealham in Andy Farrell's depth-chart, he justified that faith with a vintage display in Brisbane as he helped the tourists to a 27-19 win. "I haven't been playing a whole lot of rugby," he replied, when it was suggested to him that he looks like someone who is enjoying his game. And while the Lions' hectic travel schedule has led to less time on the training pitch, the 32-year-old (below) believes it's worked in his favour. "I love rugby. I genuinely do. It's never a chore for me to train or to play. "Ironically the lack of training on this tour is great for my body because you come to the game fresh. Previously I would have had a lot of overload injuries. It's nice to play rugby and get match-fit by playing rugby, two games a week." A Lion in 2017 and 2021, Furlong has now started all seven Tests across these three tours, but the Leinster tighthead is still looking to win a series, having drawn against New Zealand before losing to South Africa four years ago. Across those two previous tours, he's seen both series flip in the second Test. Eight years ago, the Lions recovered from a defeat to the All Blacks with an impressive win in Wellington, while roles were reversed in Cape Town in 2021, when the Springboks came from behind to clinch the second and third Tests. And those experiences are a stark reminder that the Lions' work is far from over ahead of their trips to Melbourne and Sydney. "There's a flow to it. The group is edgy, we don't know each other. We don't know Australia, what they're like on the pitch, they don't know us. "You do all your prep, there's a realisation then after that about what it takes in the game, there's an ebb and flow on it. "As stupid as it sounds, it's all about putting the game out there and there'll be tweaks and changes and nuances, a little bit of tit for that. "It's a little bit like the old Heineken Cup used to be with the double header, it changes. "There's two sides to the coin. Obviously, there's us not getting complacent, learning the lessons. We have a midweek game again, it'll be great to see the boys go out and see who puts their hands up. We can do the Tuesday-Saturday [schedule], we know that, so if lads go well there then we know they will be in contention. "The other side of that is that we know what it means to the Aussies, the desperation is all on the line for them next weekend." Four years on from the South African series being played out to the backdrop of silence in empty stadiums in Cape Town, Suncorp Stadium was fully charged with the touring supporters outnumbering their Australian hosts. And Furlong says that support hasn't gone unnoticed. "Class, even the town, you know? On Thursday it filled up, you can feel it, everyone wears red. "I'm sure Canterbury are delighted with the sales of the stuff, everyone seems to be wearing the kit, they wear their club hat or whatever. "It's why the Lions is special, it's not lost on us." Among that support is his mother Margaret, who joined the camp along with the other families of the squad for a special jersey presentation on Thursday evening, a poignant moment for the family after the passing of Tadhg's father James in late 2023. "My mam and aunty are over, she did my jersey presentation on Thursday. "It's nice, to be fair to her it's not easy to be here, any time she'd have travelled previously was with my father but she's great, she's out and about. "She was kayaking on the river this morning, she sent me a picture out on the river, fair play to her."
Irish Examiner
24 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Joe Schmidt proud of Wallabies fightback despite first test loss to the Lions
Australia coach Joe Schmidt conceded that the British & Irish Lions deserved to win the first test on Saturday but thought the Wallabies fightback in the final quarter proved they were developing. After being dominated by the Lions for an hour, tries from replacements Carlo Tizzano and Tate McDermott got the Wallabies within eight points of the tourists and Schmidt thought they were unlucky not to have a couple more. Schmidt has been clear throughout his year in charge that his team are a development project and thought it a sign of progress that they fought back rather than folded. "I just think that this time last year, I think we probably would have melted, but I love the way this team is developing," he said after the 27-19 defeat at Lang Park. "I felt like we fought our way back into the game. I felt if we could get within one score, then you never know what can happen. "I'm not saying the Lions didn't deserve to win it, because I feel that they did on the balance of what they did in that first half. "We'll have a look in the cold light of day and be a little bit more analytical, but very proud of the way the players fought their way back." Schmidt handed a first test start to flyhalf Tom Lynagh and a debut to flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny and thought both acquitted themselves well. The New Zealander said loose forward Rob Valetini and lock Will Skelton would be fit to return for the second test in Melbourne next week, which might help the Wallabies compete physically with the Lions. "Some of our collision area work has to be better, just because we know they're coming so hard there," he said. "As I mentioned earlier, there were a few things in the lineout that I think we can tidy up. And I thought, in contrast, I thought the scrum was very strong." Schmidt was pleased with the impact of his bench in the last quarter and thought there were some other positives to take to Melbourne, when the Wallabies will be playing to stay alive in the three-match series. "We weren't far away," he said. "I think the team grew into the game. I think they did show a desperation to defend our line and to be in as many of the contests for position as they could be. "And I do think if we can just improve our accuracy, it will help us to be competitive."
The Irish Sun
24 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Inside Peter O'Mahony & family's '10 days well spent' at Portugal resort as fans gush over ‘fabulous' & ‘beautiful' pics
PETER O'MAHONY and his family jetted of for a sunny holiday at a luxurious resort in Portugal. The Advertisement 7 Peter O'Mahony and his family jetted off to Portugal Credit: Instagram/jeskaomahony 7 They were joined by O'Mahony's mum and dad Credit: Instagram/jeskaomahony 7 Jess suggested he and his dad were twins Credit: Instagram/jeskaomahony 7 The family visited Quinta Dos Santos Credit: Instagram/jeskaomahony 7 And fans hailed the photos from the trip Credit: Instagram/jeskaomahony And it did not disappoint as they enjoyed a fabulous getaway including visiting the Quinta Dos Santos resort in Lagoa. Documenting the holiday on Instagram, Jess referred to it as "10 days well spent" while fans gushed over the photos she posted from it. One said: "Lots of happy faces" while a second posted: "Can't beat family & smiles ! Enjoy & travel safe" A third remarked: "Peter looks so happy and relaxed (probably because he can NOW focus on his lovely family…. AND garden)" Advertisement Read More on Peter O'Mahony A fourth said: "Beautiful pics and great memories" and a fifth commented: "Gorgeous photos" Once they returned home to Ireland, O'Mahony was straight into the back garden before he and Jess made their way to a special event in Cork. And at that function, his gardening fame led to an O'Mahony and fellow former and stars and Donncha O'Callaghan hosted an event to mark the beginning of the Lions' test series against Australia. Advertisement Most read in Rugby Union Afterwards, the ex-flanker was asked for an autograph by one of the supporters who had made the trip. However, it was not a rugby ball or jersey that the fan wanted signed; rather a shovel. Watch Peter O'Mahony fail at Takeshi's Castle-inspired water challenge leaving wife & kids in stitches Murray revealed the hilarious interaction on his Instagram Story, remarking: "Signing shovels is a new one". It demonstrated how, as well as being a legendary rugby player, the 37-year-old has also garnered a reputation for his gardening. Advertisement It is a project he is so proud of that O'Mahony makes sure the work is done even when he is not at home. Such was the case when he was away with the Such was his interest in what was going on at home that he shared a The mum-of-three responded to this by remarking how "Pierre gives no days off from gardening". Advertisement She subsequently posted a photo of a Facetime call with O'Mahony, although she suggested it was not between husband and wife. Jess quipped: "Pierre Facetiming his tomatoes". 7 Jessica and Peter O'Mahony in Portugal Credit: Instagram/jeskaomahony 7 A general shot of the beach Credit: Instagram/jeskaomahony Advertisement
