Jacob can be Launch pad for Wasps players - Joe
JOE Launchbury hopes Jacob Umaga’s inclusion in the Six Nations squad will be the first of many Wasps joining him in pursuit of international honours.
The second row was joined in England’s squad by his 21-year-old clubmate, who was called up for the first time by head coach Eddie Jones after the 21-year-old’s strong out after a sparkling return to start to the season. form, Jack Willis topping
Umaga didn’t feature the league’s turnover during the tournament, table by some distance which was cut short by as well as scoring eight the coronavirus tries in all competitions pandemic, but returned and Brad Shields also to his club from impressing Launchbury international camps to pull hopes the attacking strings and Umaga’s call-up is a sign inspired Wasps to a hat-trick Jacob Umaga of things to come. of bonus point victories. He said: “It’s been really
With Dan Robson unlucky to miss pleasing to have someone else from
Wasps there, we keep putting the performances in and playing how we have in the last couple of rounds, we know we’ve got a talented group and more guys will be pushing for those honours.”
Umaga, a former Kenilworth School pupil and Kenilworth RFC mini and junior player, had made just four Premiership starts when he received his first senior call-up. But Launchbury, who made his Test debut nearly eight
years ago, believes the youngster’s skills and mindset meant he fitted in well.
He said: “Knowing you’ve got a clubmate there, it’s always important to try and make them feel as welcome as possible. The great thing about Jacob, is, he’s an extremely calm, laid back kind of guy.
“Although I know it was a big deal for him to be there, you wouldn’t have guessed it. He got in there and got on with his job. For him to learn from two great fly-halves we’ve got in the squad in George Ford and Owen Farrell, it’s a great learning curve for him. “He’s been in a great run of form for Wasps, he has been great all season, but especially the back end, the way he’s become really mature for someone of his age. It’s been great to see him in and around the squad, he’s certainly got a lot of talent.”