Launchbury’s contract is due to expire next summer‘Saracens interest well-documented,’ says Dai Young

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Wasps accept the uncertainty shrouding Joe Launchbury’s future, but are determined to prevent a second England forward departing for Saracens.

The director of rugby, Dai Young, has confirmed the big-spending Premiership finalists are circling his most prized asset.

Should he leave, Launchbury would tread the same path taken by Billy Vunipola who left Adams Park to link-up with his brother Mako at Saracens.

So far Launchbury has been reluctant to agree a contract extension beyond next summer when his existing deal expires as he seeks reassurances over the stability of a club that was threatened with extinction two years ago.

Qualification for the inaugural European Champions Cup has strengthened Wasps’ bargaining position, but Young admits the situation is finely poised.

“It’s well documented that Saracens are interested in Joe, but then who wouldn’t be interested in him? It’s no surprise to us that other clubs want him,” Young said.

“Joe’s the type of guy who doesn’t like talking about things. He’s not the easiest to pin down because he just wants to play rugby.

“We’ll do everything in our power to keep hold of him, but we felt the same about Billy Vunipola, although the family issue was key to Billy leaving.

“We don’t even want to think about replacing Joe but, if we have to, we will.

“You can’t force people to sign. He’s the only guy in our set-up who we regard as having a big part in our future plans who hasn’t committed.

“We understand where he’s coming from because we’ve been through some tough times at Wasps when we had financial problems and didn’t have the squad to compete.

“Joe was one of five or six players who probably carried us a little bit.

“He wants to be confident that he’s signing for a club that’s ambitious and moving forward on and off the field, is financially stable and is the right place for him to play his rugby.

“We’re very confident he’ll stay, but until that signature is on the paper you’ll never know.

“He realises as well as we do the earlier he makes his decision the better.”

Launchbury has made an imposing start to the 2014-15 season and will be rested for Sunday’s Premiership clash with Newcastle at Adams Park.

“There are some games Joe plays better than others, but there are very few he doesn’t play well. He’s a fantastic player for England and Wasps,” Young said.

“We’ll give him a breather this weekend. He’s still only a young man at 23 and we have responsibility to make sure he’s still playing when he’s 33. We need to look after him as best we can.

“You don’t achieve what he’s achieved at such a young age unless you’re a serious rugby player.”