Michael Lynagh is expected to announce his forthcoming retirement today. The Saracens fly-half, who played for Australia in three World Cups, will almost certainly see out the remainder of his three-year contract at Vicarage Road before calling it a day in May.
One of the most accomplished number 10s in Test rugby, Lynagh may play his last game on the same day as the Frenchman Philippe Sella, who is also expected to retire at the end of the season. Sella, 36 next month, has not turned out for Saracens since late October due to a niggling back injury though his comeback is imminent.
Lynagh (34), an ever present in league games this season, has made a huge contribution to Saracens' rise to second place in the Premiership, their highest ever position. Apart from his consistent goal-kicking, the Australian has contributed the kind of crisp, accurate distribution that fits in perfectly with the fast, open style fostered by the player-coach Francois Pienaar.
Saracens have been linked with Neil Jenkins, the Wales and Lions fly-half, who is under contract to the Welsh Rugby Union as well as Pontypridd, but it is more likely they will look for a replacement for Lynagh in the Southern Hemisphere, given the shortage of quality number 10s in the United Kingdom.
David Knox, the experienced Australian fly-half, is thought to be keen to try his luck in the Northern Hemisphere while Alain Penaud, Brive's 28-year-old Test playmaker, has recently engaged the services of a London agent.
The former Wallaby captain, who is the top scorer in international rugby with 911 points, is certain to be a hard act to follow. His coolness under pressure, his nose for the line (which brought him 17 tries in 72 Tests) and his friendly personality off the pitch have all combined to make Lynagh an excellent role model for the young supporters Saracens are seeking in Watford.
Within minutes of Saracens completing a record 50-21 league victory over Bath last month, Mark Evans, Saracens' director of rugby, reminded everyone that Lynagh had been one of the outstanding players on the field.
