Wasps won’t take risks as duo in doubt
Joe Launchbury and Thomas Young are injury doubts for Wasps’ clash with Leinster after sustaining knocks against Bath.
Wasps are yet to win a Heineken Champions Cup game so far this season and remain rooted to the foot of Pool A ahead of reigning champions’ visit to the Ricoh Arena on Sunday.
Captain Launchbury has featured just five times for Dai Young’s men this season and Young admitted he would not risk his skipper if it put his participation in England’s Six Nations campaign in danger.
“Joe Launchbury has a bit of a hamstring strain and Thomas has a shoulder bang,” he said. “If Joe is touch and go, we won’t play him. Same as Thomas.
“If they’re fit to play they’ll play but if it’s something that could put their international participation in jeopardy we won’t play them because it wouldn’t be fair on them.
“I don’t see there being too many changes from last week. Tom Cruse went off with a head injury, he’s passed his initial protocols so it’s just a matter of him coming through that now. Gaby Lovobalavu is the same. Josh Bassett who looked to have had a nasty twist is fine.
“Juan de Jongh has a few bumps and bruises but I’m sure he’ll be fine. Both half-backs are good and the props have come through as well.”
There is also good news with the long-term injured, with Young revealing that James Gaskell and Joe Simpson are both close to returns and could be available this week.
Young said: “Joe Simpson is back in training early part of this week. He’s got one or two things to tick off but he may come into contention this weekend if the early part goes well for him,” he added.
“James Gaskell is back in full training which is positive. Ashley Johnson is running okay, he tore an abdominal muscle. The only problems he’s having is the extremes, throwing and lifting.
“It’s just those two things. If he can tick them off he’ll be good to go.
“If not, he’ll be good to go in the next Premiership block.”
Despite this positive news though, Tommy Taylor and Simon McIntyre are still no closer to a comeback.