Michael Lynagh

Australia's record points scorer, 1991 World Cup winner, and a City man who still knows the fly half's craft

Rugby

The story

Michael Lynagh is proof that the best fly halves make the difficult look inevitable.

He played 72 Tests for Australia between 1984 and 1995, partnered Nick Farr-Jones in one of the great half back combinations the game has seen, and retired as Test rugby's record points scorer with 911. Most famously, he was at inside centre in the 1991 World Cup final at Twickenham when Australia beat England to lift the trophy, and the quarter final try he set up against Ireland that year is still replayed whenever people talk about nerve under pressure.

After his Test career he moved to England and played for Saracens, becoming one of the first big international signings in the professional era and helping to lay the foundations for that club's later success. He settled in London and now combines work in the City with a long running role as an expert analyst on Sky Sports rugby coverage.

In 2012 he suffered a serious stroke while at a sports bar in Brisbane. His recovery was slow and hard and he has spoken openly about the experience since, becoming a powerful voice for stroke awareness and rehabilitation.

At Steam, just around the corner from his working life, he is a local hero with a World Cup winner's medal and a quiet, dry sense of humour to match.

Career highlights

  • 1991 Rugby World Cup winner with Australia
  • 72 Test caps for the Wallabies, many as captain
  • 911 Test points, a world record at the time of his retirement
  • Saracens fly half during the early professional era
  • Sky Sports rugby analyst and speaker
  • Awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to rugby union

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