Former England squad member Louis Lynagh called up by Italy

Louis Lynagh has been handed a first Italy call-up for their Guinness Six Nations clash with France.

Lynagh, the Treviso-born son of Australia great Michael who also played for the Italian club in the 1990s, quit Harlequins to join Italian club Benetton earlier this week with the aim of representing the Azzurri.

The 23-year-old was called up by England under Eddie Jones but failed to win a cap and has been overlooked completely by Steve Borthwick since he took over in December 2022.

Lynagh is part of a 33-man group named by Italy technical commissioner Gonzalo Quesada for the clash in Lille on 18 February.

On confirming his move to United Rugby Championship high-flyers Benetton, Lynagh said: "It's been a difficult decision to leave my boyhood club but I feel the time is right for a new challenge in Italy.

"I have lived in England since I was four-years-old, but Italy and Treviso have always been in my heart.

"My father played a fundamental role not only in my rugby career, but also in my life. He always wanted the best for me and always agreed with every decision I made.

"He told me that playing in Treviso will be the best for me and my style of rugby."

Elsewhere, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (above) knew the time to choose between England and Wales would come but not quite so soon.

Less than a year after helping Taunton Titans escape relegation from National League One, the 21-year-old Exeter wing made his Test debut in the Six Nations.

Whether he would commit to England or Wales became a matter of urgency when he began shredding defences for the Chiefs in his first season in the Premiership.

Born and raised in Cardiff, he qualifies for England through his grandmother, and the tug of war for his allegiance began when he was first called