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Wasps issue strongly worded statement over 'unfounded' Launchbury rumours

By Online Editors
Joe Launchbury

Wasps have issued a strongly worded statement denying that Joe Launchbury would be leaving the club at the end of the season.

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Gallagher Premiership rivals Sale had been linked to a move for the England lock but those suggestions have been dismissed.

The news will be a welcome boost and follows the recent signings of All Black tighthead Jeff Toomaga-Allen and Exeter Chiefs tighthead Jack Owlett, along with Toulon centre Malakai Fekitoa.

The club statement said “Wasps are aware of recent rumours linking Club Captain Joe Launchbury with a move away from the Club.

“These rumours are completely unfounded, and Wasps can confirm Launchbury will be at the Club next season.

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Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “Joe is Club Captain and has been a key part of Wasps for a long time. He is an asset to the squad.

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“Joe is clearly a quality player who most clubs would want in their ranks, but he is contracted to Wasps and committed to the Club and the journey we are on.

“We hope Joe goes well in the Six Nations along with the rest of his Wasps teammates and we look forward to them all returning to the Club later in the season.”

Launchbury said: “Wasps are obviously a Club that have been great to me over the years and are extremely close to my heart. I’m fully committed to the Club and going nowhere.

“My focus right now is fully on trying to help England compete for the Six Nations title and I look forward to coming back to Wasps in March so we can finish the season strongly.”

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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