England Rugby Veteran Joe Launchbury Announces Retirement

Veteran England lock Joe Launchbury has confirmed his decision to retire from professional rugby at the conclusion of the ongoing season. Launchbury, who earned 70 caps for England between 2012 and 2022, has enjoyed a distinguished career that includes three Six Nations titles and appearances in the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups. Since joining Harlequins in 2023 from Toyota Verblitz in Japan, he has made 50 appearances, although his current season has been limited to just six games so far. 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 playing for England, Wasps, and Harlequins, as well as his experience in Japan, and thanked his teammates for the friendships and memories they have shared. Launchbury acknowledged that his body needs a break and expressed his desire to remain involved in the sport in some capacity, but for now, he is looking forward to spending more time with his family and watching his children grow up.