Bugger - Launch recalled by Eddie

[wasps]

My cynical reasoning is that if we put in a poor performance, Eddie has a scapegoat by saying that Joe wasn't up to the level he expected him to be so couldn't be involved in the game.

 

Less cynically, Eddie wants to see what level Joe is at so he can play a role later in the tournament

[Skippy]

Of course Eddie will pick him. After all Eddie thought it was a genius plan to pick EA players last season when they’d only played a couple of Championship matches.

[Shugs]

Great for Launchbury. Insanity from Jones. Joe really needs longer before going international again - the intensity is a step up and he’s had approx 100 minutes after months out. Of course we’re all assuming the mad one plays him at lock!!

[Westy68]

So Launchbury and Alfie may not play this weekend for us, as well as Malakai

[westwaleswasp]

A week too soon, minimum, to even think about internationals, maybe more.

[bigad82]

Next time the RFU bang on about respecting player welfare I know what I will be shouting back at them.

[Rossm]

I must admit I'm worried for Joe. Lee, noted on Tuesday that "it takes a few weeks to get back to your absolute best" after such a long lay-off, The end of January marked Joe's comeback after nine months out, with 40 minutes for Wasps against Saracens, being replaced at half-time, and then another 60-minute spell in last weekend's game against Exeter. We won both matches, although Joe departed (presumably planned) with us tied against Saracens and trailing 26-15 at Exeter.

Lee has sensibly been cautious easing Joe, who turns 31 in April, back into action following a major injury. But England don't have any time to spare if they are to get their Six Nations campaign back on track after losing to Scotland at Murrayfield.

Also worth noting is that Joe has only made one lineout take in those 100-odd minutes since his return. He and Fifita have swapped their usual roles - with the former All Black taking Joe's place at the front.

This may be because we are easing him back in following such a major knee injury, although he was pictured being lifted in England's lineout drills in training on Tuesday. Joe's recall strikes me as a desperate move by a desperate man. He'll fling everything at the Italy game. But........with all their resources, England really should beat Italy without joe.

Let him play a couple more games for us, get fully match fit and then maybe play him against Wales.