Arabic version: عودة ليناخ مع بدء غوردون مرحلة التأهيل

According to ABC News, Tom Lynagh will return for the Queensland Reds this weekend in the opening round of Super Rugby AUS, after injuries restricted the Wallabies fly half to 18 minutes for the Reds this year. He is set to wear number 10 against the Western Force at Ballymore in Brisbane.

Lynagh started all three Wallabies Tests against the British and Irish Lions in 2025. New Reds coach Vern Cotter said the side would manage his workload, with Lynagh expected to play about 40 minutes rather than a full match. Cotter said Lynagh was calm and decisive, strong in organised play and “brilliant” in unstructured play.

The return comes after Reds teammate Carter Gordon fractured his fibula in the Wallabies’ Test draw with Argentina in Mendoza last weekend. Gordon, who had become the Wallabies’ first-choice fly half, faces two months of rehabilitation ahead of upcoming matches against South Africa and a two-Test Bledisloe Cup.

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, who left the Reds for the Force this season, will oppose Lynagh after taking part in a Wallabies training camp earlier this year. Kurtley Beale is on the Force bench, while new signing James O’Connor will not play. Zac Lomax is due to start at centre for the Force, and Jock Campbell is set to come off the Reds bench.

Super Rugby AUS begins on Saturday with Reds versus Force, followed by Brumbies versus Waratahs on Sunday in Bungendore. The Waratahs will welcome back lock Miles Amatosero, while the Brumbies have named former Waratahs player Triston Reilly at fullback and Corey Toole on the wing.