He is now one of the game’s elder statesmen rather than an 18-year old academy recruit who was told he was not going to be offered a senior contract and is not preoccupied with adding to his 70 England caps.
At the start of last season, the 32-year Launchbury looked set to see out his career with Wasps and be part of England’s campaign in this year’s World Cup. And then the club he joined in 2010, the year after being released by Quins, collapsed and he found himself playing in Japan.
“It was a long time in between pulling the Harlequins shirt on,” said Launchbury, who made his debut for the club against Gloucester in the Premiership Rugby Cup in September. “Time goes scarily quickly: I have had conversations with young players here about not taking their careers for granted and remember being told exactly the same.
“I hope I have a few years left in me. I am really enjoying playing and when I came back from Japan, I wondered how I would adapt back in England and whether I would be up to how hard it is week in, week out. I am loving it.
Denne historien er fra November 19, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra November 19, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prÞveperiode pÄ Magzter GOLD for Ä fÄ 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.
