Launchbury stays true to Wasps

London Wasps were handed a boost on Wednesday with news that that exciting young forward Joe Launchbury has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2015.

The hugely talented Launchbury is in line to win his first England cap this weekend against Fiji, having been rewarded with a call-up following his excellent start to the season.

Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “This is fantastic news for us and it is a huge signing for the club. It gives a real shot in the arm to all of our players and coaches as it’s a vote of confidence in what we are trying to do here and I am sure our supporters will be over the moon that someone of Joe’s quality has signed on for the foreseeable future.”

Launchbury’s rapid progression at the highest level of the game comes following the huge impact he has made at Wasps since joining the club from Worthing on the advice of ex-player Will Green in the 2009/10 season.

The 21-year old has made 33 senior appearances since and features regularly at both lock and blindside flanker. Launchbury was also part of Stuart Lancaster's England senior squad for the tour to South Africa in June.

He made his debut in an uncapped game for England against the Barbarians at Twickenham and was cruelly forced to return home from South Africa before the first training session after a knee injury ended his tour.

Launchbury said: “I had no hesitation in extending my deal. There are some really good players for me to learn from here in our pack and I feel very confident with the talent we have here in the squad and the coaching set up that we are part of something that is really building in a positive direction.”

Meanwhile, Saracens veteran Charlie Hodgson has undergone surgery to repair a fractured cheekbone after suffering the injury in the closing stages of Sunday's Premiership victory against Wasps.

The flyhalf had surgery on Monday night and is recovering well but he will be ruled out for about six weeks.