Launchbury’s hitting best form when it matters most
WASPS and England lock Joe Launchbury says he has no issues with putting his body on the line despite Dylan Hartley’s warning over the game becoming too physical.
Hartley, forced into early retirement last November, has given a harrowing account of the scars he now carries, including dizziness from years of intense contact.
Launchbury, 29, has suffered serious injuries, too, with neck surgery causing a six-month lay-off in 2014/15 before shoulder and knee issues in 2017 and 2018.
However, despite seeing Wasps clubmates Sam Jones, Alex Rieder and Marcus Garrett forced into premature retirement, the 65-cap England stalwart told The Rugby Paper: “I certainly have sympathy for guys who retire through injury, they’re very unfortunate.
“I look at some of my closest friends, like Sam Jones who had his career cut short in his mid-20s just as he was in his prime – they’re the ones that hit you hardest.
“It’s sad to see a career cut short but for someone like ‘Dyls’ (Hartley), he understands that it’s part of the nature of what we do. I’ve heard him say he wouldn’t change anything for it and while it’s certainly a tough sport, we’ve all got our eyes wide open.”
He added: “For me, the positives massively outweigh anything negative and, although I can only speak from my experience, the reassurance from having the high level of care we get at club and international level, and the access to the best surgeons, makes things a lot easier for today’s players.
“I have friends who play for the love of the game at their local clubs and you can get serious injuries at that level, too, without having anywhere near the same care.
“I think we’re in quite a fortunate position with the level of care and attention we get.”
Launchbury, meanwhile, feels that Wasps’ surge into top four contention has echoes of the 2016/17 season when they made it to the Premiership final.
Ahead of home matches against Leicester and Bristol, he said: “It’s starting to feel a bit similar.
“Confidence plays such a big part in sport and when you don’t have it you start to question yourself and how you’re going to get it back.
“Not every result has gone our way, but we are quite a young, confident squad which is a benefit to us moving forward.
“Having young guys in key positions can mean a slight variation in performances week-to-week, but it’s also exciting because guys like Jacob Umaga and Gabriel Oghre play without any fear, so the fact we’re also picking up results validates what we’re doing.”
With England’s autumn selection looming, Launchbury feels he is hitting form.
He added: “I always feel that the more I play and the more minutes I can accumulate, the more I can get into the groove. I’m thoroughly enjoying helping Wasps compete at the right end of the table and I feel like I’m starting to play some really good stuff.”