Launchbury compared to legends Dallaglio and Shaw after agreeing new deal

Wasps have struggled to keep hold of some of their best players in recent years, but they have had no such trouble with skipper Joe Launchbury as he signed a new contract on Thursday. 

The club made the announcement in bizarre style on social media, with a Lord of the Rings remake that went down very well. 

Since the announcement, the lock has been described as a “legend” and a “one-club man” by team-mates and fans. 

The 28-year-old has even been compared to club legends like Lawrence Dallaglio and Simon Shaw for his commitment to the two-time European champions. 

However, unlike some of the titans of Wasps throughout the years, Launchbury has not played through an era showered in glory or silverware. 

In fact, Dai Young’s side have endured some troubling years this past decade, which has seen them come perilously close to going into administration and being relegated. 

Further, in an era where ‘one-club men’ seem to be less common, this makes 62-cap England international’s commitment all the more commendable. 

At the end of last season, the club saw two stalwarts of the team leave, Joe Simpson to Gloucester and Elliot Daly to Saracens, as well as Christian Wade making a move to American football in late 2018. 

The same thing happened the year before as Danny Cipriani and James Haskell both moved on, albeit that was after their second stint with Wasps. 

With new players arriving this season, it looked as though the shell of players that have been with Young throughout were moving on, but Launchbury has remained ever reliable. 

Wasps players have had a greater reason to leave than most other players in England given their relocation to Coventry in 2014. Such upheaval can cause an exodus, which has undoubtedly happened over the past five years. 

However, with international stars such as Malakai Fekitoa and Matteo Minozzi arriving in the summer, and emerging talents like the Willis brothers and Jacob Umaga breaking through, this is a promising time for Launchbury as captain of Wasps. 

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