Joe Launchbury's Injury Leaves England with Breakdown Problems for Autumn

England will be without influential second-rower Joe Launchbury for the 2014 Autumn Internationals, as the Wasps lock needs to recover from a neck injury, per the BBC. But it is the breakdown, not the scrum or line-out, where England will suffer.

Securing turnovers has been England’s problem for years. In the 2014 Six Nations, Joe Launchbury’s turnover count (6) was exceptional, which saved the blushes of the English back-row. As per Irish Rugby, only Peter O’Mahony made more (7). Simply put, without Launchbury, England will have a tougher time retaining possession and stealing it, especially against Southern Hemisphere opposition.

Dave Attwood, the powerful Bath player likely to replace the 23-year-old, is also an international class second-row, so the tight five will be able to cope with Launchbury’s absence in the scrum and line-out.

However, Launchbury’s work-rate in the loose sets him apart from his English peers. As England captain Chris Robshaw notes in the video below, it is Launchbury’s strength that allows him to make so many turnovers when he is first to the ruck.

Missing Launchbury, and without Steffon Armitage, England cannot call-upon their best breakdown forwards. When facing New Zealand’s Richie McCaw on the Twickenham turf on Saturday, that is likely to prove a decisive factor in the outcome.

As per Sky Sports, England coach Stuart Lancaster noted: “It's disappointing but it's important for Joe, England and Wasps that he has the appropriate recovery period. We are confident he'll be back in the New Year.”

In addition, Lancaster continued, as recorded by The Telegraph:

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We have been hit hard in the front five but it is an uncontrollable. We are in a better position than we were prior to the third test against New Zealand in June when we lost players. The boys have trained well and we are very confident. He [Launchbury] was feeling under-powered and weak. It just wasn’t worth taking a risk. It had settled down but Joe felt it was inhibiting his performances. The injuries (to the front five) are unfortunate but I don’t think there is a pattern.

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In his first Autumn with England, in 2012, Launchbury was named Player of the Series. To highlight his importance to his country, he has played in each of England’s last 19 matches. He has attracted premature comparisons with the great World Cup winning-captain Martin Johnson, but he is integral to this England team.

Without quick ball, especially off a turnover, England will find it hard to break through New Zealand’s organised defence. Without Launchbury, quick ball and turnovers will be much harder to come by.