Launchbury to have neck surgery and miss England’s Six Nations campaign

Joe Launchbury has been ruled out of England's Six Nations campaign.

The Wasps lock is to undergo surgery on his neck later this week and will be out for around four months.

The 23-year-old had been forced to sit out all of the international autumn matches at Twickenham last month with a recurring nerve problem in his neck.

It was hoped he would be back in action for Wasps over the festive period, but his rehabilitation has not being going to plan and he will now go under the knife.

Wasps announced in a statement on Thursday: "The club today confirmed that second row Joe Launchbury will undergo surgery to decompress a nerve in his neck.

"Launchbury hasn't played since the beginning of November due to a bulging disc. He will undergo a routine decompression of the nerve this Friday and is expected to be out of hospital on Saturday. A rehabilitation period of approximately three to four months is anticipated."

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young said: "As you would expect, this is a frustrating time for Joe, but the most important thing in all of this isn't rugby, it's Joe's long-term health. We have consulted specialists in this field and they have recommended surgery as the best option to get him back to full fitness for the long term.

"Joe is in good hands, being looked after by one of the world's leading surgeons and he will have the full support of the Wasps and England medical teams during his rehabilitation period."