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Louis Lynagh humbled by maiden England call-up but Harlequins starlet not contemplating debut yet

Louis Lynagh will join England’s 45-man training squad ahead of the Autumn Internationals  (Getty Images)
Louis Lynagh will join England’s 45-man training squad ahead of the Autumn Internationals (Getty Images)

Louis Lynagh has expressed his delight at being called up to England’s training camp this weekend – but admits he is more worried about what to wear than the rugby itself.

Lynagh, the 20-year-old son of Australia legend Michael, was one of seven Harlequins called up by Eddie Jones for the 45-man camp.

“I woke up at 9am and saw I had missed a call from him [Eddie] so I swiftly called him back and we had a really nice chat about everything, what he likes about my game, what he thinks I can do better and the focus on the camp,” said Lynagh.

“I called my dad and we had a really good chat, it was pretty cool to have that chat with him, that was the first time I had spoken to him and it was really great.”

Lynagh said he was looking forward to “linking up with players I have watched since I was at school”, but that he was “more afraid of what to wear to the camp than actually training”.

Lynagh qualifies for Italy – the country of his birth, where his mother hails from – and Australia, through his father.

But, while he is keen to play for England, he is not thinking about a debut yet.

“I'm lucky enough to have three countries I can support and I've never really supported one. So it's just been I've been watching the game, especially when Australia and England play each other, I am more just watching the rugby and seeing what I could do better.

“I've lived here most of my life. I was born in Italy and then we moved here when I was four or five. I have played England age group, I was at school here and now I'm happy at Harlequins and playing well for them. It's it's never been a real issue. This is where I've been and I'm lucky and I'm blessed with that.

“I'm incredibly humbled to have even been in contention and my main focus is now obviously the game on the weekend for Quins and then going into camp with my best foot forward and learning from the best players and allowing my game to elevate. After that, we'll just see: keep playing for Quins and if I play well then we'll see what happens.

“If I don't play well for Quins that [playing this autumn] won’t even be an option. We will see when the time comes.”

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