Joe Launchbury

Born in Exeter, Joe Launchbury started playing rugby at Exmouth and began his professional career at Wasps in 2009/10.

Joe joined Wasps on the advice of former Wasps player Will Green who had spotted the teenager playing for Worthing RFC at National 2 level. Joe had already shown his promise as a young rugby player and had been part of the Harlequins youth set-up and England U18 AER squad but it wasn't until his arrival at Wasps that his real talent began to shine through.

An 80-minute appearance on his Aviva Premiership debut against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road in February 2011 led to six more matches before the end of that season earning Joe a call up to the England U20s. Joe played in the final game of the Six Nations Grand Slam winning campaign and played a vital role at the Junior World Cup, helping England to the final and later being named the England Players Player of the Tournament.

Joe put in an impressive first full season at Wasps last year, the result of which saw him called up to Stuart Lancaster's England senior squad for the summer tour to South Africa. He made his debut in an uncapped game for England against the Barbarians at Twickenham and cruelly he was forced to return home from South Africa before even the first training session after a knee injury ended his summer.

Follow Joe on Twitter @joe_launch