How Wallabies great’s son, Tom Lynagh, is plotting a British and Irish Lions tour berth

“Playing at the line and making the right decisions is also a big work on. I feel a lot more confident and comfortable doing that.”

Lynagh grew tremendously in his first full Super Rugby Pacific season, with veteran playmaker James O’Connor proving a key mentor.

His exposure to the Wallabies’ environment may have even added a few tricks to his bow: “I’ll keep those to myself,” he said, with a wry grin.

Yet Lynagh still felt a sense of frustration – forced to contend with a niggling hamstring concern.

Ensuring his body can withstand the rigours of another season, having become a target of rival defenders, will be key in ensuring he unseats Spring Tour incumbents Noah Lolesio, Ben Donaldson and Tane Edmed when the Lions touch down mid-year.

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But Lynagh insists his primary focus is on delivering premiership glory to the Reds, adamant if he can inspire a charge to the title his Wallabies bid would be strengthened.

“I think everyone in Australia that plays rugby has done that, trying to head towards that and aim for it,” Lynagh said.

“But I want to take care of the Super Rugby season first, that’s my priority. I’ll look after that first, and hopefully the rest will follow.

“It was pretty tough last year at some points, just battling little niggles, so it was getting pretty frustrating.

“But since they’ve all happened, I’ve been trying to stay on the field as much as I can. It’s my job, I’m a rugby player, I don’t want to sit on the sidelines and watch it.”