Sunday 14 December 2014 18:30, UK
England lock Joe Launchbury has emerged as a doubt for the start of the RBS 6 Nations after Wasps director of rugby Dai Young revealed that the forward was behind schedule with his rehabilitation.
The 23-year-old had to sit out last month’s autumn matches at Twickenham with a recurring nerve problem in his neck but was expected to return to club action over the Christmas and New Year period.
He has been out for a while and we want him back and 100 per cent. Whether that's in two or three weeks’ time or two or three months’ time, who knows?
However, Young says that Launchbury will need to see a specialist about the condition, which is worrying news for England, who are due to begin their 6 Nations campaign against Wales on 6 February.
Young revealed the bad news after watching Wasps keep their hopes of qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions Cup alive with a 44-17 win over Castres in their last match at Adams Park.
"Joe's rehab isn't going quite as quickly as we'd like,” said Young.
“He has an appointment with the consultant next week and we'll know more then.
"Fingers crossed it's not too serious and his rehab will pick up quickly.
“Sometimes the rehab goes quicker than expected, sometimes it goes slower. There are checkpoints and those aren't being reached as quickly as we'd hoped for.
"We have a good relationship with England, we work together on everything, and the most important thing is to be getting Joe right.
"He has been out for a while and we want him back and 100 per cent. Whether that's in two or three weeks’ time or two or three months’ time, who knows? Only time will tell."
Wasps are relocating to Coventry and their Adams Park send-off was a rousing occasion as they ran in seven tries to pull within a point of Pool Two leaders Harlequins.
Young said: “That was a great way to say thank you to Adams Park, which has been our home for 12 years now.
"It's goodbye to Adams Park but hopefully it's not goodbye to our supporters. We want to get as many of them to Coventry as possible.
"People want to watch big and meaningful games so it's important that, stepping into our new chapter, we have these big occasions in January."
Wasps will play their first game at the Ricoh Arena against London Irish on Sunday, while a January showdown at home to Leinster could determine whether they reach the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup.
