The 32-year-old joined Quins at the start of this season after a stint playing for Japanese side Toyota Verblitz which had come following his long-time club Wasps going into liquidation in October 2022.
He has added a level of ballast to the team up front that has been crucial in the general improvement of the club's work at the breakdown, their defence, the operation of their lineout and their ability to close out tight wins, with four of Harlequins' six wins so far this season coming by eight points or fewer.
But with Quins having lost four games in December and January of last season by those same tight margins, Launchbury is focused on helping right those wrongs to avoid the period having the same damaging effect.
"I feel we're in a really strong place," he said, speaking on The Rugby Paper Podcast. "We know how quickly these games come over Christmas. I wasn't here last year but the boys have talked about this being the period we got wrong last year.
"Quins lost a few games around this Christmas period and because they're so condensed, bouncing between Europe and the Premiership, if you don't get it right it can be very tough in such a short season.
Denne historien er fra December 24, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra December 24, 2023-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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Gallagher's late brace proves key for Caldy
CALDY built upon recent improved performances against London Scottish and Ealing to record a bonus point win against fourth placed Nottingham in a thrilling battle at Paton Field.
Leicester gunning to take down a legend
MICHAEL Cheika is aiming to take down a French icon as his Tigers attempt their Champions Cup mission impossible in Toulouse today and upset his children in the process.
Charnock the class has to end Havant resistance
A MUCH improved second-half performance saw Westevencombe Park tually overcome a spirited Havant side who looked like providing an upset for much of the game.
Quins turn on style to rip Sharks apart
A STORMING second-half mance saw perforQuins romp to a seven-try victory on the road.
Williams is poised to shift up a gear
TEDDY Williams will be looking to put his international disappointments behind him now his remarkable shift this season has been rewarded with a Wales call-up.
Mitchell back to his best and ready for battle
ALEX Mitchell is now eight games into his injury-delayed season and feeling full of energy for the Six Nations campaign ahead of him.
Borthwick: It's time to put our foot down
STEVE Borthwick insists he has come up with a solution to problem England's in closing out matches be even quicker out of the blocks in the upcoming Six Nations.
Watson: I had to quit, I was in so much pain
AS Anthony Watson trudged off five minutes into the second-half in Leicester's match at Sale in December, he knew deep down that his career was over.
Seabrook hat-trick as Saints edge a thriller
A STIRRING contest ended in Saints scrambling heroically to gain a last 16 home tie and gallant Munster facing a knockout tie on the road.
Barritt backing the new boys
BRAD Barritt won the Champions Cup three times with Saracens and believes the club are on course to be a powerhouse in the competition again.
