Bugger - Launch recalled by Eddie

[Neils]

Incoming broken player.

He is a right barsteward

[Neils]

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/joe-launchbury-joins-england-squad-23023391

[Steve from Cov]

If Lawes is fit to play then Joe will be released presumably?

[Trevs Big Tackle]

Underused/overlooked for years when in great form and then called up about 2 weeks into recovery from a long-term injury. EJ is an arse.

[JonnyD]

If Lawes is fit to play then Joe will be released presumably?

No way, Launchbury in ahead of Isiekwe and Ewells, Eddie will have Lawes at 6

[hookender]

Presumably his swollen cheek nothing then?

[MartinB - Radnage Wasp]

This smacks of desperation by mad Eddie.......to even consider playing someone who has been out for so long with a serious injury and who has not yet played a full game back (oh! and who certainly got some knocks last weekend).

I am a fan of what Eliot Stooke has brought to us since joining and would have him ahead of Ewels and Isiekwe never mind a not too/fully fit Launch. I would love to see Eliot's stats against the others as I wonder if he has even been told he is on the England radar.

[Raggs]

Just because he's called him up doesn't mean he's going to hand him 80 minutes against Italy.

And Launch has now played 2 games, and whilst his gametime has been managed, he's looked bloody good in both of them and doesn't appear to have lost any of his ability. I'd have Launch 2nd only to Itoje in the England 2nd row stocks, and he pairs extremely well as he offers more ballast than probably any other option we have.

Can't we be happy about having such an extraordinary player that he gets back into England contention so easily?

[WonkyWasp]

Just as he remains extraordinary, and comes back intact and healthy. My immediate reaction was 'Oh bum', my second reaction much worse.   

[Westy68]

Launchbury is definitely the 2nd best lock but is about 3/4 games away from reaching his top level, just don't understand why Stooke isn't picked. Maybe Launchbury plays for 60 minutes and then plays for us against Quins and then plays for England again.

[baldpaul101]

Congrats to Joe !!

[BrackenandMacken]

This seems to be a risk with very little reward. It's not the game I'm worried about, it's the training.

Launch has played 100 minutes of rugby off the back of a serious knee injury. I struggle to believe mental Eddie's training camp is the best place for him right now.

[RogerE]

This seems to be a risk with very little reward. It's not the game I'm worried about,

Thinking about what happened to Jack against Italy - I would be!

[mike909]

So he's been called up because Ludlam is out with bruised ribs and Lawes is only 50/50

Why? It's Italy, we ought to win, if Isiekwe played 6 and Ewels/Hill at SR, what do England need Launch? If they need a 6-a-like, then presumably, you'd call up Earl or similar, not another SR'er?

And given in the longer term you'd want a fit and firing Launch, perhaps it's better to get some match fitness in the Prem?

[Neils]

This seems to be a risk with very little reward. It's not the game I'm worried about,

Thinking about what happened to Jack against Italy - I would be!

Almost exactly a year ago. Another incoming?