JOE Launchbury has revealed that his burning desire to continue fighting for his country persuaded him to eschew exploring opportunities abroad in favour of a new contract at Wasps.
Launchbury says loyalty to his club and boss Dai Young also played a part in his decision, defying constant speculation linking him with moves away.
Launchbury was largely snubbed by England during the World Cup, with England supremo Eddie Jones favouring Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes and George Kruis in his engine room.
He was limited to one start in the second Pool match against USA, playing just 49 minutes.
Yet he remains undeterred, telling The Rugby Paper: “Obviously I would have loved to play more but the World Cup was fantastic in so many ways.
“It was a brilliant opportunity with so many great occasions and although we were upset at the end, I was delighted with the campaign and our camp.
“In terms of my input on the team I was really pleased with how I went and the desire to play for England still burns as brightly as it ever has.
Denne historien er fra December 8 2019-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra December 8 2019-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
