Thursday 18 December 2014 13:53, UK
England second-row forward Joe Launchbury is likely to miss the Six Nations after Wasps announced he would require up to four months of rehabilitation following neck surgery.
Launchbury has not played since the beginning of November due to a bulging disc.
The 23-year-old will undergo a routine decompression of the nerve this Friday and is expected to be out of hospital on Saturday. A rehabilitation period of three to four months is then anticipated.
As you would expect, this is a frustrating time for Joe, but the most important thing in all of this isn't rugby, it's Joe's long-term health.
Wasps director of rugby Dai Young said: "As you would expect, this is a frustrating time for Joe, but the most important thing in all of this isn't rugby, it's Joe's long-term health.
"We have consulted specialists in this field and they have recommended surgery as the best option to get him back to full fitness for the long-term.
"Joe is in good hands, being looked after by one of the world's leading surgeons and he will have the full support of the Wasps and England medical teams during his rehabilitation period.”
The initial injury kept Launchbury out of last month's autumn international series at Twickenham.
