England Rugby Veteran Joe Launchbury Announces Retirement

Veteran England lock Joe Launchbury has confirmed his decision to retire from professional rugby at the end of the current season. With 70 international caps to his name, including three Six Nations titles and appearances at the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups, Launchbury has enjoyed a distinguished career. The 35-year-old, who joined Harlequins in 2023 after stints with Wasps and Toyota Verblitz in Japan, has made 50 appearances for his current team but has been limited to just six outings this term. In a statement on the Harlequins website, Launchbury expressed his gratitude for the opportunities he has had, saying, "The time feels right to step away from rugby at the end of this season." He reflected on his time representing England, Wasps, and Harlequins, acknowledging the friendships and memories he has made along the way. Launchbury also expressed his desire to remain involved in the sport in some capacity, while looking forward to spending more time with his family and watching his children grow up.