... but Joe raring to go after frustrating 6 Nations
JOE Launchbury knows England’s breakdown issues must be addressed if they are to put their bid for World Cup glory back on track in South Africa this June.
England will take on the Springboks in a threematch series on the back of three Six Nations defeats against Scotland, France and Ireland, all of whom targeted the Red Rose tackle area, cutting off the amount of quick ball the forwards could generate.
Wasps lock Launchbury, who featured in all five Six Nations clashes, said: “It goes around in cycles. Two or three years ago the breakdown was a massive thing and everyone talked about the traditional No.7, and then for the last couple of years the breakdown has been less competitive because of how the laws have gone.
“Now that’s how teams are looking to stop the momentum of sides again by slowing the ball down at the breakdown. It’s something which definitely needs to be looked at and addressed by us, but I don’t think our breakdown work is deficient compared with other teams, it’s just something we need to refocus on in South Africa.”
English rugby has come under heavy fire in the wake of England’s Six Nations failure, along with Saracens’ exit in the Champions Cup quarter-finals.
However, Launchbury believes the criticism is premature, adding: “You can see why people are saying it because it was a disappointing end to the Six Nations and the one English team we had in the Champions Cup quarterfinals was knocked out, but I don’t think it says too much about the broader picture of where the English game is.
“If it happened year after year the arguments would probably be fair, but last
year we competed very well in Europe and won the Six Nations so there’s no reason to believe things can’t change again in 12 months.
“The Six Nations was frustrating after a good start with wins over Italy and Wales. The first half against Scotland, when they outperformed us, dented our confidence a bit but the margins between victory and defeat are so small. I don’t think we’re far away, although obviously there’s stuff that needs to be corrected.”
Fatigue has been mooted as a factor, with Ireland’s central contracting system held up as a pillar of their post-Lions success. However, Launchbury, who has played 23 games this season, including eight Tests, insist he is raring to go to South Africa.
“I feel I’ve been very lucky with injuries this year and I’ve been available for selection in pretty much every game,” he explained. “I didn’t go on the Lions tour so I can’t speak for those boys but I’ve worked very hard to have that durability as a player and, with having a few days off every so often, I don’t think tiredness is an issue for me.
“I’ve really enjoyed this season and I want to play as much as I can for England, but there are three, hopefully five, big games left for Wasps if we reach the Premiership final so I’m keen to get my teeth into that before South Africa.”
Launchbury, 26, believes Wasps are equipped to go one better after last year’s final defeat to Exeter, adding: “This league is definitely more competitive with sides like Newcastle and Gloucester joining the fight, but there’s a lot of belief here.
“It’s much tighter at the top but last year created a bit of hunger and hopefully those experiences will stand us in good stead now.”