Launchbury targets England call

London Wasps flanker Joe Launchbury has revealed he is hoping to secure a place in the England squad for their tour this summer.

The 21-year-old back-rower has been one of very few positives to come out of a very disappointing Aviva Premiership season for Wasps, who narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of the campaign at the expense of Newcastle Falcons.
Launchbury was involved with the England training squad during the RBS 6 Nations earlier this year and is hoping to earn a call-up for the national side ahead of their summer tour of South Africa.
England head coach Stuart Lancaster has been keen to look at young talent for the future and with the likes of Tom Croft and Tom Wood out injured, Launchbury is desperate to prove himself.
He told espnscrum.com: "It's been a strange year for me. I set myself the goal of playing a few games but personally it's gone really well.
"Two years ago I was playing semi-pro at Worthing and the last 24 months has been a bit of a whirlwind. To be talked about like that (as a tour contender) is obviously something I'm shocked about but if I get a chance I want to take it with both hands."