Harlequins home-comer Joe Launchbury will never shut the door on England - but is not expecting to bust it down either.
The 32-year-old has come full circle by returning to first club Quins this summer, following a stint in Japan.
Launchbury shook off Wasps’ fall into administration with a short-term move to Toyota Verblitz, but is now back in west London and in top form. The 70-cap lock would have joined England’s first pre-Rugby World Cup camp in June, only for a hamstring injury to thwart his Test chances.
Launchbury has not featured for England since the 2022 Six Nations but could easily come into contention next year.
The Exeter-born second row would jump at any call from head coach Steve Borthwick, but also anticipates the Red Rose boss looking to younger options at the start of a new cycle.
“I spoke to Steve a lot during my time in Japan and on my return from Japan, and I was going to be involved in the initial World Cup camp but I got injured,” said Launchbury.
“I have not really spoken to him much since then, he has obviously had a busy time.
“I don’t think I am going to sit here and retire from international rugby because I don’t feel that is something I need to do. I haven’t had a huge involvement over the last period of time so it is not something I need to do.
“I love playing for England, it is the proudest part of my rugby career and I don’t think I would turn down an opportunity to play but I am aware of where I am.
“The situation England are in, it is the end of a World Cup cycle and is probably a good opportunity for them. They had a great achievement in the World Cup to get where they got to and that has probably allowed Steve an element of freedom in his selection.
“It allows him a period to maybe go down a slightly younger route and as an England supporter that is probably what you would understand him to do.
“I am not going to sit here and retire from international rugby, but I am not sitting here waiting for the phone to ring. I am here to play for Harlequins and I am loving the balance of playing here and being back in England with my family.”
Launchbury’s clarity of priorities has helped Quins storm to the top of the embryonic Gallagher Premiership.
That early lead will come under intense pressure when they host Saracens in Saturday’s sold-out London derby clash at The Stoop.
I can honestly I say I am pretty happy with everything I have achieved.
With the scars of Wasps’ collapse still etched on the facial expressions that meet his review of a turbulent two years, Launchbury neatly underscores the extra perspective gained through that impromptu Japanese odyssey.
“Where I am sitting now I can honestly I say I am pretty happy with everything I have achieved,” said Launchbury. “So I am extremely grateful to be here and I’m intent on repaying that.
“Billy Millard talks quite a lot about gratitude here, and for some of the younger players that might fly over their head a bit but for me at the moment that really carries some weight.
“I have got a huge amount of gratitude to be here and still be playing rugby and still in a job after everything that has happened.”
