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England’s Joe Launchbury ruled out of autumn internationals with neck injury England’s Joe Launchbury ruled out of autumn internationals with neck injury
(35 minutes later)
England’s autumn plans suffered a further untimely injury blow on Sunday when Joe Launchbury was ruled out of the entire QBE series with a neck problem. England’s autumn plans suffered a further injury blow on Sunday when Joe Launchbury was ruled out of the entire QBE series with a neck problem.
The Wasps lock, who has started England’s last 20 Test matches, has been told to rest for six to eight weeks and has been replaced in the squad by Leicester’s Graham Kitchener. Bath’s Dave Attwood is now set to start alongside Courtney Lawes against New Zealand this Saturday, with Saracens’ George Kruis in line for his first cap off the bench.The Wasps lock, who has started England’s last 20 Test matches, has been told to rest for six to eight weeks and has been replaced in the squad by Leicester’s Graham Kitchener. Bath’s Dave Attwood is now set to start alongside Courtney Lawes against New Zealand this Saturday, with Saracens’ George Kruis in line for his first cap off the bench.
The 23-year-old Launchbury has an ongoing irritation to a nerve in his neck and will now be sidelined until at least mid-December, adding to the lengthening list of injured English front five forwards. Alex Corbisiero, Mako Vunipola, Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, all English Lions in 2013, are already unavailable for this month’s Test matches.The 23-year-old Launchbury has an ongoing irritation to a nerve in his neck and will now be sidelined until at least mid-December, adding to the lengthening list of injured English front five forwards. Alex Corbisiero, Mako Vunipola, Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, all English Lions in 2013, are already unavailable for this month’s Test matches.
“It’s obviously disappointing but it’s important for Joe, England and Wasps that he has the appropriate rest and recovery period and we are confident that he will be back in the New Year,” said head coach Stuart Lancaster. “It’s obviously disappointing but it’s important for Joe, England and Wasps that he has the appropriate rest and recovery period and we are confident that he will be back in the New Year,” said the head coach, Stuart Lancaster.
It leaves England able to pick only two capped lock forwards in Attwood and Lawes. Kitchener captained an England VX against the Barbarians last June but has yet to play Test rugby. The London Irish hooker David Paice has also been called up as cover for Dylan Hartley and Rob Webber but the Northampton duo of Luther Burrell and Stephen Myler will not be involved against New Zealand. It leaves England able to pick only two capped lock forwards in Attwood and Lawes. Kitchener captained an England XV against the Barbarians last June but has yet to play Test rugby. The London Irish hooker David Paice has also been called up as cover for Dylan Hartley and Rob Webber but the Northampton pair of Luther Burrell and Stephen Myler will not be involved against New Zealand.
Myler has a mild hamstring strain while Burrell also seems certain to be unavailable for next week’s game against South Africa. “Luther has seen the specialist and, while the news is positive that he could be available later in the series, he will stay with the Saints medical team this week,”said Lancaster. “We will look to bring him into camp further down the line.” Myler has a mild hamstring strain while Burrell seems certain to be unavailable for the second game, against South Africa. “Luther has seen the specialist and, while the news is positive that he could be available later in the series, he will stay with the Saints medical team this week,” said Lancaster. “We will look to bring him into camp further down the line.”