Wasps captain Joe Launchbury to miss British and Irish Lions Tour of South Africa after suffering ACL injury – four years after narrowly missing out on New Zealand trip

England and Wasps lock Joe Launchbury will miss the British and Irish Lions' South Africa tour after suffering a serious knee injury.

Wasps say their captain sustained ‘a complete rupture’ of his anterior cruciate ligament during Sunday's Gallagher Premiership victory against Bath.

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The normal recovery period for such an injury is between six and nine months.

Launchbury, who has won 69 caps, missed England's Guinness Six Nations campaign this season because of a broken leg.

Lions head coach Warren Gatland is due to name his squad next week for this summer's tour, and 30-year-old Launchbury would undoubtedly have been part of second-row discussions.

In a statement, Wasps said: "Joe Launchbury sustained a complete rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during Sunday's game against Bath Rugby.

"He has had a consultation with a knee specialist, who has confirmed that he will require surgery.

"Everyone at Wasps wishes Joe all the best for a speedy recovery."

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Launchbury was extremely unlucky to be overlooked completely for the 2017 Tour to New Zealand after two Man of the Match displays in England’s victorious Six Nations campaign.

Instead, former Saracens lock George Kruis took his place in Warren Gatland’s 41-man initial squad.