Queensland Reds and Benetton to play for new Lynagh Cup honouring 1991 World Cup winner

The Queensland Reds and Benetton Rugby will play for the newly created Lynagh Cup on November 27 at Stadio Monigo in Treviso, honouring 1991 Rugby World Cup winner Michael Lynagh, who claimed championship titles with both clubs during his playing career.

Lynagh won a championship with Benetton Treviso in the 1991/92 season after taking six months’ leave following Australia’s World Cup triumph, before later repeating the feat with Queensland. The trophy recognises his contribution to both organisations and the ongoing partnership between the two clubs.

“These are two important organisations in my life coming together in a wonderful union,” Lynagh said. “After the 1991 Rugby World Cup, I took six months leave from my job and went off to play with Benetton. It certainly changed the direction of my life in a big way because I ended up marrying a girl from Treviso.”

The connection between Lynagh and both clubs extends well into the current generation. His son Tom, who started all three Wallabies Tests at fly-half against the British & Irish Lions last year, is part of Queensland’s Super Rugby squad, while younger brother Nic has trained with the Reds Academy this season. Louis Lynagh, meanwhile, has established himself as a Test regular for Italy following strong performances for Benetton in the United Rugby Championship.

“It will be interesting to see how it pans out for a couple of Lynagh boys, who are now at each club,” Michael Lynagh added.

Sam Cordingley, Queensland Reds General Manager of High Performance, said the fixture was about more than rugby. “A strong point of the partnership is affording players and staff the chance to experience something different, where they’ll learn, not just in rugby but with a general life perspective,” he said.

The Reds’ end-of-year tour begins with two matches against the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in November before the squad travels to Italy, where they will face an Italy XV on November 20 ahead of the Benetton showdown a week later.