Harlequins 35-29 Worcester: Lynagh shows Eddie just what he can do

LOUIS Lynagh would be ready to light up the international stage if Eddie Jones chooses to pick him for the Twickenham Tests this autumn.

Lynagh shone brightly in front of a watching Jones as the exciting new young wing made it three tries in two games.

The 20-year-old burst over for the first of five Quins tries as the champions followed up their win at Newcastle with another bonus point victory.

Lynagh, included in the latest training squad by Jones, was always a major threat but Worcester gave the hosts a real battle before losing out in a high paced, high scoring contest.

Head coach Tabai Matson enthused: “Louis has been prolific hasn’t he. International rugby is another level but every week he steps up and puts his hand up. He shows us what outstanding potential he has.”

On his side’s win he insisted: “We felt like we had the game under control at half-time but they gave us a real battle and we had to scrape through.”

Lynagh, born to an Italian mother and World Cup winning father Michael, has pace, power and clinical prowess in abundance.

The afternoon began with England and Lions flyhalf Marcus Smith and South African lock Stephan Lewies parading the Premiership trophy to the crowd for the first home game since capturing it at Twickenham.

Sara Cox became the first woman to referee a Premiership game and was given a special signed Harlequins jersey at the end as a momento of her big occasion.

The 31-year-old from Devon, who joined the RFU referee ranks in 2016, missed out on her debut last year when the Worcester- Gloucester contest was cancelled for Covid reasons.

Owen Williams kicked Warriors ahead before Quins seemed to have taken firm control with three tries giving them a 21-3 half-time advantage.

Lynagh raced over for the first try, an impressive finish for his third in two games having grabbed a brace in the opening victory at Newcastle.

Alex Dombrandt dived on the ball following a driving maul as Warriors back-peddled and Quins celebrated another try converted by Tommy Allan.

Worcester were reduced to 14 men for ten minutes with Cox holding up her first Premiership yellow card for Noah Heward, the wing guilty of taking fullback Tyrone Green out in the air.

That’s fine: Ref Sarah Cox signals Louis Lynagh’s opening try

PICTURES: Getty Images

Quins struck decisively just before the break when a loose Danny Care pass following a line out close to the Warriors line led to wing Cadan Murley diving over in the left hand corner.

Worcester responded at the start of the second half and the watching England coach would have been impressed with centre Ollie Lawrence powering his way through for a well taken try converted by Williams. Quins took little time to reply with Joe Marchant taking Allan’s pass in his stride to race over for the fourth try.

But, as the hosts seemed to take their foot off the pedal, so Warriors fought back strongly with two quick tries. First, England scrum-half Willi Heinz chased Williams’ chip through to dive over for his second try in as many games. And Heinz’ replacement Will Chudley finished off another move with Williams conversion leaving his side four points adrift.

Hopes of an away win were dashed as lock Dino Lamb bull-dozed over. The late scoring spree continued with Worcester replacement prop Marc Thomas crashing over at the death to pick up two bonus points for his side.

He hasn’t dropped it! Willi Heinz scores for Worcester