Launchbury back where

JOE Launchbury has returned to the club where his career started, and nearly ended, 14 years ago.

- PAUL REES

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.