Joe Launchbury wary of Welsh upset in World Cup match at Twickenham
Tuesday 22 September 2015 10:51, UK
Wales will still be a huge threat despite their injuries, England's Joe Launchbury has warned ahead of Saturday's World Cup showdown at Twickenham.
Warren Gatland's underdogs have lost star backs Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies and Rhys Webb to injury for the entire tournament, and Cory Allen has now joined them with a hamstring injury.
Adding to the problems facing Gatland are the concerns over props Paul James, Samson Lee and Aaron Jarvis as Wales find their playing resources being stretched to the limit.
Launchbury, however, recalls when England visited the Millennium Stadium in February while contending with a lengthy casualty list of their own yet still claimed a stirring 21-16 victory.
"It's bit of role reversal because we went to Cardiff in the Six Nations with some injuries and the guys put in a great performance. The shoe is now on the other foot," Launchbury said.
"Wales are coming to an away ground and have a huge opportunity to upset us in the World Cup.
"From when Warren and Shaun Edwards were at Wasps, I know the sort of messages they will be giving to their players in the week. I am sure they are hugely excited.
"Warren will be telling them to make a fast start and really try and use their forward pack to get a foothold in the game.
"They have some nasty injuries which is huge shame and they will miss those players, but others are coming in who are exceptionally talented with a lot of caps behind them."
Launchbury made an impression from the bench in Friday's 35-11 win over Fiji and is among a number of players pushing for a start when head coach Stuart Lancaster names his team on Thursday morning.
"What a huge challenge this will be against a really strong Welsh side," Launchbury added.
It's important that everyone keeps on pushing because this is a tournament that you are desperate to be involved in. They guys who came off the bench really made a difference against Fiji."
