Eddie Jones has responded after Wallabies legend Michael Lynagh questioned why the English RFU have not made contact with his son Louis after his performance in the Gallagher Premiership final.
The fullback, who has offers to play for Australia and Italy, scored two tries for Harlequins in the final 10 minutes of the Premiership final against Exeter Chiefs.
“Qualified for England, Australia and Italy. Italy and Australia have contacted him within the last fortnight.The English RFU have never spoken to him about his intentions and goals,” Lynagh tweeted.
“Strange, given that the now head of rugby at the English RFU once flew from Italy to ask a 17-year-old to commit to Italy.
“It is not about being selected or not. The issue is that nobody from the RFU has spoken to him. He has played for England under-16, under-18 and under-19, he lives one mile from Twickenham, he plays for Quins – yet nobody has even had a chat with him. How many other young kids are in the same boat?”
However, it appeared to have passed Jones by as he issued a blunt response in a press conference today.
“I’m not aware of the tweet and I am only here to talk about players who have been selected,” said Jones dismissively.
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Here’s a list of rugby legends sons who are set to play in the Six Nations, including a young Lomu.
1. Lucas Brooke (England)
- Age: 19
- Club: London Irish
- Position: back-row
- Dad: Zinzan Brooke (New Zealand)
Brooke, who can play across the back-row or at hooker, grew up in England so is fully qualified to wear the red rose. The powerhouse has represented Berkshire at county level and regularly played for his school, Wellington College.
2. Louis Lynagh (England/Italy)
- Age: 20
- Club: Harlequins
- Position: Fullback
- Dad: Michael Lynagh (Australia)
The son of Wallabies legend Michael Lynagh, the fullback made his Premiership debut during the final round of the 2019/20 Gallagher season against Leicester Tigers. He is yet to declare his allegiance, but has represented England at age-grade, captaining England U16. and playing for the U18’s.
3. Manu Vunipola (England)
- Age: 21
- Club: Saracens
- Position: Fly-half
- Dad: Elisi Vunipola (Tonga)
Vunipola comes from vintage rugby stock and is already well on his way to following in the footsteps of cousins Billy and Mako as part of the England U20s set-up. His dad, Elisi Vunipola, played in Super Rugby for the Brumbies, as well as appearing 41 times for Tonga – including at the 1995 and 1999 Rugby World Cups – and was his country’s most-capped player upon retirement in 2005.
4. Jacob Umaga (England)
- Age: 22
- Club: Wasps
- Position: Fly-half
- Dad: Mike Umaga (Samoa)
The surname Umaga carries a lot of weight in rugby. Mike Umaga won 13 caps for Samoa, while Tana is one of the All Blacks’ most respected captains. And it appears the name could live on with Jacob, son of Mike and nephew of Tana, who is seen as one for the future for England after being called up for the Autumn Nations Cup.
#5. Dhyreille Lomu (France)
- Age: 13
- Position: Wing
- Dad: Jonah Lomu
Lomu, who currently plays on the wing, was born in France during his Dad’s brief stint playing for Marseille, hence any eligibility discussions wouldn’t be an issue. Known as Frenchie at school in New Zealand, the aspiring youngster has already began to impress at a number of age-grade tournaments in New Zealand.
