Serious knee injury rules Launchbury out of tour

ENGLAND and Wasps lock Joe Launchbury is out of contention for the British and Irish Lions’ South Africa tour after suffering a serious knee injury.

Wasps say their captain sustained “a complete rupture” of his anterior cruciate ligament during Sunday’s Gallagher Premiership victory over Bath.

The normal recovery period for such an injury is between six and nine months.

Launchbury, who has won 69 caps, missed England’s Guinness Six Nations campaign this season because of a broken leg.

Lions head coach Warren Gatland is due to name his squad next week for this summer’s tour, and 30-year-old Launchbury would undoubtedly have been part of second-row discussions.

In a statement, Wasps said: “Joe Launchbury sustained a complete rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during Sunday’s game against Bath Rugby.

“He has had a consultation with a knee specialist, who has confirmed that he will require surgery.

“Everyone at Wasps wishes Joe all the best for a speedy recovery.”

Meanwhile, Mike Blair will guide Scotland in three summer matches including trips to Romania and Georgia.

Blair will step up as interim head coach with Gregor Townsend on British and Irish Lions duty.

Scotland A will play in late June, with the opponents yet to be confirmed, before a full team take on Romania on July 10 and Georgia seven days later.

Blair said: “This tour gives us the chance to work with a wider group of players and see how they can step up into the international game, whilst also continuing to look to improve with our established Scotland players.”

With defence coach Steve Tandy joining Townsend in South Africa, Glasgow coach Peter Murchie will join the coaching staff.