Michael Lynagh

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Michael Lynagh (born October 25, 1963) is an Australian rugby union footballer who was a fly-half.

Michael Lynagh represented Australia from 1984 to 1995, playing at both inside centre and fly half. Lynagh was capped 72 times for Australia, and was captain from 1993 to 1995. He was the world points scoring record holder when he retired, with 911 points. Michael was a member of the 1984 Grand Slam winning team and was vice-captain when Australia won the 1991 Rugby World Cup. Until he handed the kicking duties over to Marty Roebuck, he scored in every test he played in, including a try against Wales in 1984 when he was tempoarily relieved of kicking responsibilities.

He retired from International Rugby after Australia's loss to England in the Quarter Final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Lynagh attended St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace in Brisbane and played fly-half in the school's First XV from Year 10 to Year 12 (1979-1981). He was a member of GPS premiership winning sides at Gregory Terrace and captained the team in his last year. After school he played first grade for University and represented Queensland from 1982-1995. Michael was a member of Queensland's Super 6 and Super 10 winning sides.

Michael Lynagh made his debut for Australia against Fiji on 9 June 1984 in Suva at the age of 20. Early in his career he played at inside centre as Mark Ella was the current fly-half. When Ella retired after the 1984 Grand Slam, Lynagh took over as the Australian fly-half.

Lynagh joined Saracens of England at the advent of professionalism in 1996 after retiring from a glittering 12-year international career with Australia as the world record points scorer with 911 and a World Cup winner (1991).

Lynagh's arrival at the club was the first major signing after Nigel Wray took control of the club and he acted as a beacon to attract other players and fans alike. Lynagh helped Saracens to have their most successful season to date.

In the 1997/98 season Saracens battled it out with Newcastle Falcons for almost the whole season for top spot in the league and when the two sides met in front of a crowd of nearly 20,000 Lynagh slotted a match winning drop goal in the dying minutes to send Vicarage Road into raptures. A month later he was on hand to steer Saracens to their famous Tetley’s Bitter Cup 48-18 victory over Wasps at Twickenham, bringing the curtain down on a season to remember.

He is now a director of the commercial property investment division of an Australian company - Allco Finance Group; as well as working as a TV analyst for Sky Sports UK. The name Michael Lynagh now lives on in his relative and cousin "Michael Lynagh" (born 1990) Michael (junior) like his name sake is showing great talent in Rugby Union as he was picked in the Ashgrove First XV from grades 10 to 12. Michael was also school captain! It would not be at all surprising if Michael Lynagh Junior follows further in the footsteps of the legend and one day becomes the captain of the Australian Rugby team.

Preceded by Nick Farr-Jones

Australian national rugby union captain 1993-1995

Succeeded by Phil Kearns