Joe Launchbury: Former Wasps lock signs for Japanese club Toyota Verblitz
- Published
Joe Launchbury won 70 caps for England between 2012 and 2020 and was part of the squad that reached the Rugby World Cup final in Japan in 2019
Former Wasps captain Joe Launchbury is to join Toyota Verblitz for the forthcoming Japan League One season.
The 31-year-old England lock spent 12 years with Wasps but the club went into administration last month.
He is reportedly set to join Harlequins next summer but has agreed a short term deal with Toyota from December to May.
Launchbury played in Japan at the 2019 World Cup and said: "To have the chance to sign for a great club like Toyota is something I am very excited about."
He added: "My family and I are looking forward to experiencing Japan again and I am personally looking forward to testing myself in the league and helping Toyota Verblitz have a good year."
Launchbury won 70 caps for England between 2012 and 2020, scoring five tries.
He played his final game for Wasps in their 40-36 defeat by Northampton on 9 October, nine days before administration was confirmed.
The club's administrators have accepted an offer to buy from a consortium including members of the Wasps Legends group.
The deal is subject to approval by the Rugby Football Union but Wasps will play in the second-tier Championship next season if it is confirmed, having also been relegated as a consequence of going into administration.