LAUNCHERS SHOCK OVER YOUNG AXE

JOE LAUNCHBURY has spoken of his shock at Dai Young’s demotion as Wasps boss – and of being kept in the dark over it.

Launchbury (below) is with England preparing to win his 64th cap against Ireland at Twickenham on Sunday.

As captain of Wasps he also has his head full of concerns for his crisis-hit club, who stood down Young (top) without even warning him.

Launchbury revealed he had been back at the Coventry-based club last Tuesday, doing individual training, when the decision was made.

“I didn’t know anything was going to happen, the meeting came out of the blue and I heard the news at the same time as everyone else,” he said. “It was a big shock – Dai’s been a brilliant part of my career – then I had to get in the car and travel down to the England camp.

“Being the captain I want to be around as much as I can to help everyone else as the club means a lot to me.

“I’ve been trying to do what I can, chatting to people on the phone. But

PWDit’s a hard balance as selfishly I want to be here with England as well to put myself in the best position.”

Wasps, with attack coach Lee Blackett now in temporary charge, lost for the sixth time in 10 Premiership matches on Saturday.

For six-time English champions, not to mention twice European Cup winners, their previous run of defeats meant a changing of the guard was understandable.

But Young’s time with Wasps is about far more than results. He helped keep the club alive when the vultures were circling. The Welshman went for three months without pay, helped pay for the cost of travel and even bought the players’ strapping tape. So while he has presided over a player drain in recent times he is also owed a debt of gratitude of which Launchbury is only too conscious.

“Dai’s been the main constant through my time at Wasps,” said the lock. “We’ve been through the highs of the Premiership final and the lows of the financial stuff.”

LBFA