Six Nations 2022: Joe Launchbury added to England squad with Manu Tuilagi’s progress being monitored | Rugby Union News

Joe Launchbury, a 69-cap international, replaces the injured Lewis Ludlam in England’s squad ahead of their Six Nations meeting with Italy on Sunday; Ludlam will be out for the next couple of weeks with a rib injury; Eddie Jones continuing to review Manu Tuilagi’s return

Joe Launchbury replaces the injured Lewis Ludlam in England’s squad

Joe Launchbury has joined England’s squad ahead of their Six Nations match against Italy on Sunday, with the progress of Manu Tuilagi being monitored by head coach Eddie Jones.

Launchbury, whose last Six Nations game for England was against Wales two years ago, replaces the injured Lewis Ludlam.

Ludlam has suffered a rib cartilage injury and will be out for the next couple of weeks.

Wasps captain Launchbury brings 69 caps worth of experience into the squad and Jones has been impressed by the fortitude he has shown in coming back from a nine-month lay-off after an ACL rupture.

“He’s had a tough time and it’s a real mark of his resilience that he’s come back,” Jones told Sky Sports News.

“He’s been in reasonable form for Wasps and he’ll certainly add to our lineout expertise and particularly our mauling expertise.

“Joe’s experience will be massive [for us]. We don’t have a great deal of experience at the moment so having someone like him coming back into the squad is fantastic for us.”

Courtney Lawes is continuing to go through the return to play protocols following a concussion he suffered against Ulster on January 16, but Jones said he has only an “outside chance” of taking to the field in Rome.

“If you were a betting man, you wouldn’t back it. He’s coming along nicely, he’s not far away and we’re hopeful that he’ll be ready for Wales,” said Jones.

Manu Tuilagi is fit and on the field again after a hamstring injury

When asked if Wales will be the target for a fit-again Manu Tuilagi, who produced an impressive performance for Sale against Harlequins on Sunday, Jones did not fully commit.

“That’s more a question mark,” he said about Tuilagi facing Wales on the third weekend of the championship.

“I enjoyed his big smile on the field and the energy that he brings and, obviously, the physical presence. We’d love to have him in the squad, but we’ve got to be cognisant of the fact he needs to have the right training load.

“We’ll make sure that we keep communicating with Sale and when it’s appropriate to bring him in, and he’s fit and healthy, we’ll bring in him.”