Italy has suffered a significant blow ahead of the Six Nations as Louis Lynagh, one of their key players, is set to miss the tournament due to a knee ligament injury.
Lynagh, who plays for Treviso in the United Rugby Championship, recently underwent surgery, ruling him out of action for an extended period.
Treviso announced that Lynagh injured the lateral collateral ligament in his left knee during a match against Parma last month. The injury occurred during their United Rugby Championship win, leaving the 24-year-old unable to continue his role in the team’s Six Nations campaign.
In a statement, Treviso said, "The surgery was a complete success and the player will now begin his rehabilitation process."
Although the club did not specify a recovery timeline, Italian media reports suggest Lynagh will be sidelined for at least three months, ruling him out of Italy’s Six Nations fixtures.
Lynagh, the son of Australian rugby legend Michael Lynagh, was born in Treviso, Italy, where his father played professionally. Although he initially represented England at the youth level after moving there with his family, Lynagh later committed to playing for Italy as a senior player.
Since making his debut under head coach Gonzalo Quesada, Lynagh has earned five caps for the Azzurri, quickly becoming an integral part of the squad. His absence will be a significant loss for Italy, as his speed and versatility on the wing have been critical in their recent performances.
Italy will kick off their Six Nations campaign against Scotland at Murrayfield on February 1.