We were delighted to welcome Michael Lynagh, a former international rugby player, who delivered the first Lord Rosebery lecture of the year to a packed Big School. Mr Lynagh played at fly-half for Australia from 1984-1995, was capped 72 times, and was captain from 1993-1995. During his 11-year career, he was also the highest scorer in world rugby, amassing a mighty 911 points in 72 tests – a rate of almost 13 per game.
After retirement, Mr Lynagh worked in property management and as a popular pundit on Sky Sports before suffering a stroke in 2012. Remarkably, he walked out of hospital just ten days later with nothing more than some visual impairment and an increased golf handicap.
He has since written a book, Blindsided, about his experience and regularly meets with, and speaks on behalf of, stroke victims. As a young fit person Lynagh raises awareness that stroke can happen to anyone at any time.
Middle Fourth pupil, Jasper Lawler (P), attended a supper with Mr Lynagh before the lecture. He said: “I really enjoyed our dinner with Mr Lynagh, he was open to answering any of our questions, and his old rugby anecdotes were very entertaining. I found it particularly interesting to hear of the significant change when rugby went professional, and Mr Lynagh’s own experience of this period.”
