Six Nations: England’s Launchbury happy to play second-fiddle after buying into Jones’ ‘Team of 23’ mantra

JOE LAUNCHBURY is proud of his bit-part tag with England — and playing second fiddle to Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes.

The Wasps captain has not started a meaningful game against a decent Test nation since the tour of South Africa in 2018.

Since then, the second-rower featured in Six Nations games against Scotland and Italy and a World Cup start against USA.

Falling behind Itoje, Lawes and George Kruis in the pecking order has seen the 63-capper limited to a place on the bench when the big boys like Sunday’s visitors Ireland come around.

But Launchbury is not  bashing down Eddie Jones’ door demanding more minutes, having bought into the Aussie’s “Team of 23” mantra.

The 28-year-old said: “I’m probably, in a strange way, extremely proud of my last couple of years.

“When I first broke in I probably played a lot and started a lot, and that potentially was something I didn’t know would happen.

“Now I think we’re in such a fortunate position with the team that we have so many great players.

“I look at the strength in depth, particularly in my position, and I think: ‘What a great team to be part of’.

“Genuinely for us as players it’s a huge thing to be part of this team and we know Test matches are won in the last parts of games.

“So if your role is to be on the bench,  your role is just as important.

“I love playing for England. It’s the reason I work as hard as I do. Because I’m desperate to carry on playing.”

Unlike Itoje and Lawes, who can also play in the back row, Launchbury is only considered as an out-and-out lock.

However, his 18 stone, 6ft 6in frame meant that he was picked ahead of Charlie Ewers as one of Jones’ ‘Bomb Squad’ of forwards off the bench to blow away Scotland.

Launchbury had another explosion when he came back from Edinburgh — as his Wasps boss Dai Young had been replaced by backs coach Lee Blackett.

He said: “It was a big shock. Those decisions aren’t really mine to be made but as a club I have belief in whatever direction we go.”