Wasps must fire from Launch pad

Dave Attwood was once seen as a prospective latter-day Martin Johnson – not least by Johnson himself – and his successor as England supremo appears to share that view after the hiatus caused by suspension and injury.

Launchbury and Attwood packed down together in the June Test wins in Argentina. But Geoff Parling’s return from a triumphant Lions tour makes this a crowded field, especially when Courtney Lawes is also taken into consideration.

Wasps’ Devonian second row could do with the duck being broken after three bonus-point defeats, by a grand total of nine points, in High Wycombe on Saturday against Worcester. The Warriors are the only other winless Premiership side.

“We have been disappointed and frustrated,” said Launchbury.

“You talk about us being close, but in this league every game is going to be tight and to be on the wrong side of such narrow scorelines isn’t ideal.

“We really have to turn these losses into wins. We are only three games into a very long season and it’s not right to talk about anything like a dip in form. In parts we have been playing well, but we have to admit there are areas that have let us down.”

It is a compliment to Wasps that their ascent to eighth last season after dodging relegation and near-bankruptcy in 2012 should have led to the expectation of a far better Premiership campaign than has yet been the case.

If and when it happens, Launchbury will be an obvious beneficiary.

“We sorted out all the off-field problems, so there are no issues there and we can concentrate purely on playing rugby,” he said.

“This will be our first appearance at Adams Park this season. We showed last season when we won every Premiership game there until almost the end of March what it means to us. Home games in this league are extremely important and you pick up what you can away from home.

“Worcester are in a similar position to ourselves. People may think this is a game we should win, but they are a dangerous animal.”

Article source: http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/arsenal/169260/arsenal-bring-in-ex-ireland-rugby-pro-jerry-flannery-as-new-strength-and-conditioning-coach.html

Wasps must fire from Launch pad