England Rugby Star Joe Launchbury Announces Retirement

Veteran England lock Joe Launchbury has confirmed that he will be retiring from professional rugby at the end of the current season. With 70 international caps to his name, Launchbury has enjoyed a distinguished career spanning over a decade, from 2012 to 2022. His achievements include winning three Six Nations titles and participating in the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups. Since joining Harlequins in 2023 from Toyota Verblitz, Launchbury has made 50 appearances, although his playing time has been limited to just six games this season. In a statement on the Harlequins' website, Launchbury expressed his gratitude to his teammates and reflected on his fortunate career, stating, "The time feels right to step away from rugby at the end of this season." He also shared his desire to remain involved in the sport while looking forward to spending more time with his family and watching his children grow up.