Missile Joe Launchbury is for lift-off, says Wasps head coach Dai Young
Young, looking back to Launchbury’s man-of-the-match performance against Worcester last weekend, said: “People keep talking about Joe being a star of the future. But forget the future, he’s ready now.
“He’s a quality player, both at six and second row, and I thought he was outstanding for us against Worcester.
“His long-term future for England will be in the second row, I believe, but he’s at an age now where he’s got the mobility and freshness to play both positions.”
It was some testimonial for Launchbury, 21, who three years ago was turning out for Worthing Raiders in National Three before being recommended to the Londoners by their then head coach, former Wasps prop Will Green.
Such has been the youngster’s progress since that he has become a Wasps regular and was selected by England for their summer tour to South Africa before being forced out with a knee injury.
Launchbury was earlier in the 2011 Grand Slam-winning England U20s team that came agonisingly close to beating New Zealand in the Junior World Championship final.
And he earned plaudits last season as part of a struggling Wasps side that, although decimated by injuries and retirements, managed to narrowly avoid relegation.
Buoyed by that experience and the encouragement he has received from Young, Launchbury is ready to press on and enhance his claims for a senior England place.
He said: “It was nice of Dai to say what he did and I’m really enjoying my rugby. We’re six games into the Premiership season now and I’ve managed to build up a lot of momentum.
“Enjoyment is key for me and it’s great to have experienced people like James Haskell and Marco Wentzel leading me around the pitch and being under their wing.”
Of last season’s arduous struggle, Launchbury said: “It was my first full season in professional rugby so I just lived off the buzz of that. I tried as hard as I could not to let any of the off-field stuff affect me and just went out to try and enjoy my game.
“I think the whole team did really. All the injuries and retirements were a nightmare, but that’s what happened and we just got on with it. It’s a new season now and I’m really excited by it. Dai’s rotating the squad well and it’s nice to get more game time.”
Launchbury is reluctant to talk up his England prospects, but his performance against Worcester was one of few highlights in a dismal encounter and the national selectors are bound to have taken note.
“You’ve got to concentrate on your club rugby first and I want to get a good batch of games under my belt before thinking about anything else,” said Launchbury.
“I’ve only played 20-30 Premiership games, so it’s early days for me and I just want to help Wasps up the table.”
But Young clearly believes the 6ft 7in Launchbury is destined to play for Test rugby.
England fans will discover soon enough whether he is on the money.
NEALE HARVEY
