England international Joe Launchbury has been hailed for his captain’s contribution both on and off the field after helping his Wasps side defeat Northampton Saints on Saturday.
Launchbury, who has been capped 44 times for his country, led from the front at Franklin’s Gardens as Wasps secured back-to-back wins with a 38-22 triumph.
The lock has been selected for the forthcoming autumn internationals and Wasps director of rugby, Dai Young, paid homage to the two-time Six Nations winner for a vintage display.
“Joe deserves a special mention, not just for the way he played, but the way he’s been as a captain right through the season,” said Young.
“It’s a well-known cliche but when you need people, the strong get stronger, and he’s certainly stood up when things weren’t going well.
“He sets good standards in every game and in training, we haven’t panicked and he’s led from the front in everything we’ve done.”
But it was not all good news for England head coach Eddie Jones after he saw three of his squad limp off in the Midlands clash.
Wasps duo Elliot Daly and Matt Mullan as well as Northampton’s Piers Francis all suffered knocks at Franklin’s Gardens as the rest of the squad flies out to Portugal for a training camp.
Centre Daly was taken off at half-time with a knee strain, before prop Mullan walked off with a bicep injury and Francis departed with an ankle problem.
“Our medics will speak to the England guys and decide what to do,” said Young.
“With Elliot, hopefully it is just a collision injury that will settle down. Obviously it is a concern. It may be a ligament strain or it could be a contact injury.
“It would be a real shame if him or Matt miss the autumn internationals because I think they have worked really hard.”
England face Argentina in their opening autumn test in less than two weeks before facing Australia and Samoa.
Saints head coach Jim Mallinder added: “Piers has done something to his ankle. We’re not exactly sure what. He did it early then got another knock. If there’s any doubt we’ll get him in to scan.”
