Joe Launchbury is a versatile forward who is equally comfortable in the second-row and the back-row and looks set to be an international mainstay for years to come.

He shone for Wasps during the 2011-12 season after excelling in the 2011 Junior World Championships for England. Despite sustaining an injury and missing two months of the campaign, Launchbury was a shock call up to the England fold during the 2012 Six Nations. He did not make his Test bow but he returned to Wasps and played an integral part in their battle to Premiership survival.

His impressive performances were recognised at the end of the season when he was nominated for the Discovery of the Season Award at the Aviva Premiership Rugby Awards but failed to win the gong with Owen Farrell taking it. Launchbury was retained for England's summer tour to South Africa where he was used during the midweek matches.

Come the autumn Test series in 2012, Launchbury was propelled into the England fold and he made his debut from the bench against Fiji and then started against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. He was one of England's stand out players throughout and was later voted their player of the series by supporters.

Launchbury continued to impress during the 2013 Six Nations campaign, making him a contender for the Lions' tour to Australia later that year.