Rugby Union Apr 20, 2026

Joe Launchbury: Harlequins' former England second row to retire at end of season having won 70 international caps

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Joe Launchbury: Harlequins' former England second row to retire at end of season having won 70 international caps

Former England lock Joe Launchbury will retire at the end of the season.

The 35-year-old was capped 70 times by his country between 2012 and 2022, winning three Six Nations titles and playing at the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups.

Launchbury, formerly of Wasps, has made 50 appearances since joining Quins from Japanese club Toyota Verblitz in 2023 but has featured just six times so far this term.

"It has been coming for a while and it is certainly no secret, but the time feels right to step away from rugby at the end of this season," he told Harlequins' website.

"To have worn the England shirt 70 times, to have given so many years to Wasps, to have had the honour of representing Harlequins, and to experience a season in Japan. I've been so fortunate to represent the teams I have.

"To my team-mates, past and present, thank you. The friendships we have built go far beyond rugby. Not a day went by where I did not enjoy being around the people I was lucky enough to call teammates. You made every challenge worthwhile.

"Rugby has given me more than I ever dreamed of. Not just a career, but a life filled with purpose and friendships as well as memories that will stay with me forever.

"I have given my all to my career and my body is telling me it needs a break.

"I would love to stay involved in the game in some way, but for now I am looking forward to what comes next, and most of all, being present to watch my children grow up."

Tags:

rugby-union news

Share this article

Related Posts

Women's Six Nations: England's Hannah Botterman and May Campbell ruled out of tournament

Women's Six Nations: England's Hannah Botterman and May Campbell ruled out of tournament

England's squad depth continues to be tested after front rows Hannah Botterman and May Campbell became the latest players to be ruled out of the Guinn...

England suffer double Women's Six Nations injury blow with Morwenna Talling, Natasha Hunt ruled out of rest of tournament

England suffer double Women's Six Nations injury blow with Morwenna Talling, Natasha Hunt ruled out of rest of tournament

England have suffered a double injury blow with Morwenna Talling and Natasha Hunt being ruled out of the remainder of the Women's Six Nations.The duo...

Social media abuse, stalking and death threats: Why it's never just about performance for our sportswomen

Social media abuse, stalking and death threats: Why it's never just about performance for our sportswomen

Too feminine, too masculine. Hair too short. Too much makeup. Too muscular. Too skinny. Too outspoken. Too aggressive. Who would be a sportswoman in t...

Women's Six Nations: Megan Jones and Sarah Bern eye England improvement despite win over Ireland

Women's Six Nations: Megan Jones and Sarah Bern eye England improvement despite win over Ireland

Megan Jones and Sarah Bern admitted England have work to do despite the world champions starting their Women's Six Nations campaign with a convincing...

Women’s Six Nations: Sadia Kabeya says England must turn crisis into opportunity as Scotland plot upset at Murrayfield

Women’s Six Nations: Sadia Kabeya says England must turn crisis into opportunity as Scotland plot upset at Murrayfield

Sadia Kabeya says England are ready to prove they have the depth to overcome a mass of absentees when they face Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.Th...

Ellie Kildunne: England World Cup winner reveals struggle with body dysmorphia - 'I ended up having terrible relationship with food'

Ellie Kildunne: England World Cup winner reveals struggle with body dysmorphia - 'I ended up having terrible relationship with food'

England rugby star Ellie Kildunne has revealed her struggle with body dysmorphia that developed during the coronavirus lockdown in 2020.Kildunne score...