Duo set to miss trip for Wasps
JOE Launchbury and Alfie Barbeary have returned to training with Wasps – but Friday’s trip to Bristol Bears may have ‘come too soon’ for them to make their playing returns.
England lock Launchbury was called up to Eddie Jones’ first 28-man squad for the Guinness Six Nations, however, on the same day the announcement was made, the Wasps captain received the news he had suffered a tibia stress fracture and was unable to add to his 60 Test caps.
As well as missing England’s three matches so far, he has also sat out of his club’s last six games, in which time they have won only once.
Barbeary, who received his first senior call-up last autumn, has missed eight matches since suffering an ankle injury away at Sale Sharks in late December. Speaking ahead of Friday night’s trip Ashton Gate to face the Gallagher Premiership table toppers, Wasps head coach Lee Blackett gave the following update.
“Joe and Alfie aren’t a million miles away,” he said. “Whether they’re available this week is unlikely, but I know Alfie is peppering the physio’s door to let him play.
“Honestly, I love that mentality in him.
“The kid just wants to play and is desperate. He did half a run last week and he thinks he’s fully fit now and he is raring to go.
“Joe is obviously desperate to get back on the field. I think this week realistically will come a week too soon. But I fully expect to see both of them available for the following week.
“They’ll probably do their firstteam session tomorrow. That’ll be the first time. That’ll be our only major session of the week. We did walkthroughs this morning and the guys who have played and most of the boys have gone down to pool recovery now. “Wednesday is our major session then we’ve got our team run on Thursday. It’ll just come too soon for them. But that following week they should both be available.”
Wasps look set to welcome back at least two players to their squad in the form of tighthead prop Jack Owlett and Kiwi back Lima Sopoaga. With Kieran Brookes suspended and Biyi Alo still recovering from wrist surgery, Wasps have been operating with just Jeff Toomaga-allen on the right side of the scrum, supported by loan signing Nicky Thomas from the Ospreys.
On Owlett, who hasn’t played for Wasps since September 2020 and is set to join Worcester Warriors this summer, Blackett said: “He’s been in and out of training now he is back into full training, more or less the back end of last week. So he should be available.”
Sopoaga’s calf issue has kept him out of Wasps’ last five games. Blackett said: “Today was his first session, it was a walk-through outside. It’s the first session he’s done and we expect to see him integrated back into training. Very similar to the other guys. He’s not been out for so long so he will available this week for selection.”
Whether they’re available this week is unlikely, but I know Alfie is peppering the physio’s door to let him play.
Lee Blackett