4 hours ago
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The son of Australian rugby legend Michael Lynagh has admitted it will be 'really weird' to line up for Italy against the Wallabies this weekend.
Louis Lynagh, 24, is a lightning-quick winger, and he was born in Treviso.
After qualifying to play for England on residency grounds - and later representing them at under-19 level - the flyer eventually decided his Test future would be best served with Italy.
Lynagh made his senior debut for the Azzurri in 2024, and has impressed with his ability to find the try-line.
In Udine on Sunday morning AEDT, the Wallabies will start slight favourites - but Italy won the last encounter between the two nations in 2022.
'It's going to be a really weird one [playing against the Wallabies], I can't lie,' Lynagh told the Sydney Morning Herald.
The son of Australian rugby legend Michael Lynagh (pictured right) has admitted it will be 'really weird' to line up for Italy against the Wallabies this weekend
Louis Lynagh (pictured, middle playing against Scotland) is a winger, and was born in Treviso, Italy in December of 2000
After qualifying to play for England on residency grounds - and later representing the nation at under-19 level - the flyer eventually decided his Test future would be best served with Italy
'I've grown up supporting Italy and Australia in sports, now [I'm] going against them... luckily my brother [injured Wallabies star Tom Lynagh] isn't playing, because I don't know how I would feel then.
'But I think after the anthems, once all the emotions are out, it's just another team.'
Lynagh confirmed his father - a World Cup winner with the Wallabies in 1991 - will be up in the grandstand, no doubt torn over who to support.
It comes as Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou was adamant his team won't be complacent as they look to bounce back from a disappointing recent performance against England.
'We won't take Italy lightly, they are a good team,' he said.
'You can see what they've done against South Africa and the Six Nations, against some of the big teams.... they've only lost by a try or something.
'We are expecting a big game against them.'
Former NRL star Carter Gordon returns to the gold jersey as the number 10 for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Kick-off is 4.40am AEDT on Sunday morning, with live coverage on Stan Sport.
