Lynagh debuts for Italy against Scotland
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Louis Lynagh, the son of Australia rugby great Michael Lynagh, will make his senior international debut against Scotland in the Six Nations on Saturday after opting to play for Italy.
Lynagh was born in Treviso where his father played and his mother is Italian, but he moved to England when he was four years old.
Last month the 23-year-old, a wing whose World Cup-winner father played mainly flyhalf, decided to return to Treviso by switching from Harlequins for United Rugby Championship team Benetton.
Lynagh, who represented England at youth level, will run out at right wing for Gonzalo Quesada’s men as star man Ange Capuozzo starts at fullback and Monty Ioane on the left wing.
“He will be up against a great player (Scotland wing Duhan van der Merwe) but he plays and defends well, he’s a good communicator and we’re staying true to our philosophy of giving young players their chance,” said Italy coach Quesada.
Benetton flank Sebastian Negri returns to the pack for Italy who are bottom of the standings with three points after defeats to England and leaders Ireland and a nail-biting draw with France last time out.
Italy: 15 Ange Capuozzo; 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Monty Ioane; 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Martin Page-Relo; 8 Ross Vintcent, 7 Michele Lamaro (captain), 6 Sebastian Negri; 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolo Cannon; 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti
Replacements: 16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Giosue Zilocchi, 19 Andrea Zambonin, 20 Lorenzo Cannone, 21 Stephen Varney, 22 Leonardo Marin, 23 Federico Mori
Date: Saturday, March 9
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Kick-off: 15.15 (14.15 UK & Ireland time; 14.15 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (England), Adam Leal (England)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
