We’ll cope with everything Wales throw at us at the Principality
JOE LAUNCHBURY has shrugged off the prospect of another hostile Cardiff welcome for Eddie Jones’ men by insisting “nothing they can do will bother us!”
The Wasps giant, one of the most laid back characters in the game, insists that far from worrying about the red hot reception in the Vallies next Saturday, this England team is relishing it.
Launchbury, 27, insists the noise level at the Principality Stadium “is no louder than Twickenham” as the men in white prepare for another huge mental and physical battle on the west side of the M4.
The Wasps lock hopes to reproduce the kind of man of the match performance of two years ago when he made 20 tackles and helped England complete a second successive Six Nations win there, 21-16.
Launchbury, desperate to play a leading role after his bench duties in Paris last Sunday, said: “Personally, I enjoy going to Cardiff, and England going down there is always a very special occasion. You know you are about to take part in a big, exciting game.
“There’s nothing worse for a rugby player than when it’s all quiet and not much going on. But I don’t think Cardiff is any louder than any other stadium. Twickenham at its loudest is pretty noisy as well.
“But you have to expect anything when you go to Cardiff. Everyone is different when you go over there – the bus journey into the stadium takes 10 or 15 minutes to go just the last 100 metres!
“You do notice the little things that are going on as you warm-up; the brass band playing and walking around you, the shouts from the Welsh fans. It’s all done to try and unsettle you but that’s fine, nothing about that is going to bother us.
“You can see just how passionate their fans are about the game, and you can’t help but love that sort of atmosphere. It gets the adrenalin pumping around your body and makes you realise what kind of challenge it is. I just feed off it.”
Launchbury expects the usual double-edged “good luck” text message from club coach, former Wales hero Dai Young, insisting: “No doubt Dai will be in touch this week wishing me well but that’s as far as it goes!”
Young will have extra reason for Launchbury and England to come unstuck in their attempt for a third Six Nations win of the campaign because son Thomas could be wearing the red No.7 jersey.
Warren Gatland’s side also have the incentive of trying to set a new record mark of 12 successive Test wins. Yet, England will have every reason to feel confident that they can take another impressive stride towards the title and possible second Grand Slam under Jones.
They have lost just once in seven clashes with Wales – and that was the World Cup loss at Twickenham. Since then they have been more than capable of coping with the trials and tribulation a trip to Cardiff can throw up.
A monumental defensive effort, and clinical finishing, ensured they got the Championship off to a flying start in Dublin. While Wales huffed and puffed in Rome, Jones’ men buried France under an avalanche of points, 44-8, to make them favourites to capture the Northern Hemisphere crown.
But Launchbury insists the men in white are certainly not getting carried along with the latest wave of praise, hype and optimism.
“We have a big level of respect for Wales, especially the run they have been on. But this England group is governed by how much better we think we can get. We are playing well in large patches but feel there is a bit more to come from us.
“We’ve spent this week focusing just on ourselves and have not spoken about Wales at all. Results-wise it’s been good but there are always things to improve.”