London Wasps sign Joe Launchbury to three-year contract – Rugby news
London Wasps have signed the promising 20-year-old lock and flanker, Joe Launchbury, on a three-year deal. Joe Launchbury is the London Wasps academy product and has already made a mark on the rugby field due to his skills at both the domestic and international
level.
Joe made his professional senior rugby club debut in the February 2011. The Exeter born player made his premiership debut against the Leicester Tigers at Welford Road. During Aviva Premiership 2010/11 season, Joe made seven appearances, which includes four
starting spots and three substitute appearances. Launchbury has already won the London Wasps Young Player Award along with the Academy Player of the Season award.
In the seven games he has played for Wasps during the clubs campaign, Wasps have won only two matches and lost the remaining five. However, at an individual level he made some excellent runs, tackles and created a few scoring opportunities to demonstrate
the skills and abilities he possesses.
20-year-old Wasps’ academy product has welcomed the club offering and expressed his utmost delight on getting a long-term stay with the Wasps. Commenting on the contract Launchbury said: "From a personal point of view this season has been great for me and
I didn't think I would get as many first team opportunities as I have.
Joe added further that Wasps coaching, support staff and seniors play would help him better his game. He said, “I've got a lot to learn and with the quality of coaching we get at Wasps as well as the experienced players I have around me, this is the right
place for me."
London Wasps Head Coach Shaun Edwards has welcomed the signing of the youngster and has expressed his delight over retaining the promising youngster. He said, "It is marvellous news for the club that Joe has signed a new deal.”
Edwards who has already worked with Joe during the last few games of the 2010/11 season has termed Joe as a hardworking professional. He appreciated the youngster’s positive frame of mind in which the player is working to improve on all aspects of his game.
Wasps head coach whose team lost the course to premiership play offs in the later part of the season has termed Joe as the future for London Wasps. Edwards further added, “He (Joe) is improving all the time and hopefully that can result in him having a very
successful career at all levels."
Joe Launchbury earlier has played for Worthing RFC and through Will Green Joe ended up securing a Wasps academy one-year contract. Joe’s hard work paid divided when earlier in the year he helped the England Under-20 Rugby Union team lift the U20 Six Nations
title. He made the tournament even more memorable as he won the Man of the Match award during the final game of the competition against Ireland.
Joe will also represent England during the upcoming Junior World Cup in Italy to be held later in the year.
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