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Louis Lynagh, son of Wallabies' great Michael Lynagh, has signed a long-term deal with Premiership club Harlequins as he continues to impress in English rugby.
Michael Lynagh has long revelled in the breakthroughs of his son Louis in English rugby - and the Wallabies great will have been left prouder still now Premiership club Harlequins have given the exciting prospect a long-term contract.
The London Premiership club have been so taken with Louis Lynagh's breakthrough season that they announced on Thursday that he has agreed to sign a new deal with them at their famous Twickenham Stoop base.
The 20-year-old winger has scored two tries in five starts for Quins this season and is being rewarded after making a major contribution to the club's revival after the turmoil surrounding Paul Gustard's departure as head of rugby in February.
Michael Lynagh, Australia's all-time top points scorer who orchestrated their first World Cup win in England in 1991, ended up emigrating to the UK with Italian wife Isabella in the late 1990s.
Son Louis, one of their three children, joined Harlequins' academy as a 14-year-old and is eligible to compete for Australia, England or Italy at international level.
Yet he's already represented England at under-16, under-18 and under-19 levels, with his dad having presented him with his first white jersey in 2017 before his under-16 debut at fullback against Wales.
After the 41-22 win, the proud Queenslander Michael was left joking: "I don't think I yelled out 'Come on England!' over the weekend - but we were very proud of him."
Louis's progress has since been so impressive that he's been tipped for senior international honours - whichever nation he ends up playing for.
"It's been great to have the opportunity to get out there in the Premiership in the last two months and I'm looking forward to more," said Louis, who made his debut at Leicester in the final game of last season.
"There is a lot of competition for places in the outside back unit, which is driving standards. It's a great place for me to continue developing my game.
"There's a great feel around the squad at the moment. It's a team full of potential and we know this group has the ability to go out there and win silverware.
"I love that I've been able to grow as a player and a person and show what I'm able to do in the Premiership, which is probably the highest level you can play at apart from internationals. It's something I've been working towards since I was a young kid.
"It's just been really great to see the progress that I've made and that I can play in the Premiership and can score tries - and hopefully it can continue."
Lynagh cites 72-times capped England fullback Mike Brown as his 'mentor' at the Stoop.
"He took me under his wing and has always helped me on the field. It's tough love - but that's the way he does it, it's never personal and it's helped make me a better person and a player," said Louis.
Harlequins' Australian general manager Billy Millard, who has helped steer the side through troubled times to third in the Premiership, said: "Louis is an immensely determined young man with real talent.
"He has worked hard in training the last few seasons and has taken his chances with both hands this season. We're excited to see how he continues to develop."
