Wasps: Joe Launchbury signs contract at Premiership club
Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
England lock Joe Launchbury has committed his future to Wasps and their move to Coventry by signing a new deal.
The 23-year-old was set to be out of contract in the summer, with Premiership rivals Saracens reportedly interested in his services.
He is in Stuart Lancaster's squad for the upcoming autumn internationals.
"I'm not daft, I know how sought after Joe is and imagine he will have had clubs lining up to talk to him," said Wasps boss Dai Young.
"He is a very loyal and down-to-earth guy. He has weighed up all options and decided that Wasps is the best place for him to develop his game thanks to the structure we already have in place and the ambitious move to Coventry.
| Analysis: BBC Radio 5 live's Chris Jones |
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| "A seasoned international at the age of just 23, Launchbury is one of English rugby's hottest properties, so this is a major boost for Wasps and a ringing endorsement of the imminent move to Coventry. |
| "Launchbury's future had been in doubt for months, with Saracens among those interested, but he says the ambitious plans for the club he joined as a teenager convinced him it was the right decision to stay. |
| "Launchbury has started each of England's last 19 Test matches, and will again be a key man next month when the world's best come to Twickenham." |
"He had his pick of teams and he has chosen Wasps because he believes this is a squad which will be successful. We as coaches and a playing squad will take that as a massive compliment."
Wasps will stop playing games at Adams Park in High Wycombe and start life at the Ricoh Arena with a Premiership fixture against London Irish on 21 December.
"As soon as I learned the real positives behind the move and the fantastic things it can do for the club, I was right behind it and here I am having signed," Launchbury told BBC Radio 5 live.
"It's a really bold move and I don't think anyone at the club is saying it's not, but it's a necessary move for the club.
"I'm excited about where the move to Coventry can take us as a club. I hope I have [made a statement]. The club has struggled financially and this is something that is going to secure the long-term future of the club, and that is imperative."